Spain lead Group H, Chile 2nd
It took cool heads, impeccable technique and a dash of brilliance for Spain to achieve what no one else has done at this World Cup and beat a side from South America.
A 2-1 win over Chile on Friday, lit up by two expertly taken goals from David Villa and Andres Iniesta, means Spain will avoid Brazil in the second round but on this evidence they need not fear the five-times World Cup winners.
The European champions finished as Group H winners, with Chile squeezing in behind them, and can now look forward to a second round game against neighbours Portugal with equanimity.
It was a quality that served them perfectly at a raucous Loftus Versfeld, with Spain keeping their heads as all about them players in red were losing theirs.
Chile's tactic was clear from the start, with Marcelo Bielsa's side picking up three yellow cards, one of which would soon prove costly, with aggressive tackling.
If the idea was to provoke their opponents it failed.
Image: Spain's David Villa (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Chile
Photographs: Reuters
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