BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: Chile stands in the way of Spain’s lofty World Cup hopes, as the European champion goes into its final Group H match on Friday needing victory to secure its spot in the knockout phase.
With both Switzerland and Honduras still in the mix for one of the last two places in the last 16, Spain know it’s time to live up to pre-tournament expectations or potentially go home early.
"For us it’s clear what we have to do — we have to beat Chile," said midfielder Andres Iniesta, who is available for the final group match after overcoming a right leg injury.
"We’ve got a clear idea about what we need to do and we’re confident of reaching the next round. Nothing else is important."
Whether it’s the World Cup favorite tag slapped on it, overconfidence or tactical changes, Spain hasn’t quite been able to emulate the attractive play that led it to its European triumph two years ago.
Chile needs only a draw at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium to win the group as its six points leads the three Spain and Switzerland each have. Honduras has zero.
The winner of the group, which could come down to goal difference if there is a three-way tie on points, is also likely to avoid a match up with Group G leader Brazil.
Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa’s love of attacking football should provide an exciting finale to the group stage and be nothing like the two teams’ previous encounter in 2008 — a 3-0 win for Spain.
Chile has never beaten Spain in the teams’ past seven matches, suffering defeats in six.
Spain will have David Villa in attack after avoiding a FIFA ban for slapping an opponent, while Fernando Torres should also start despite missing three scoring chances against Honduras.
Spain and Chile took more shots than any other team after two games but both only scored two goals. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas will finally get some work after facing only three shots on goal so far.
While Spain frets over which super star will become a super sub, Bielsa is without midfielders Carlos Carmona and Matias Fernandez to suspension.
Jorge Valdivia will likely fill in for Fernandes, while striker Humberto Suazo is also available.
Chile is using a torn and muddied Chilean flag as extra motivation.
The flag was pulled from the wreckage left behind by the earthquake and tsunami that hit the South American country in February, killing more than 500 people and leaving 200,000 homeless.
After toppling Spain in its World Cup opener, Switzerland wouldn’t have thought its tournament would be hanging in the balance going into its final Group H match on Friday against Honduras.
The Swiss can still top the group — or finish rock bottom. But the path at least is clear: beat Honduras by two goals at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and the Swiss are through to the knockout round.
Chile, which plays Spain in a simulteneous game, currently leads Group H on six points. Switzerland is level with Spain on three points, although the Spanish have a better goal difference. Honduras is last on zero points.
Behrami is suspended after his red card, and Switzerland is also likely to be without defender Philippe Senderos, who sprained his right ankle against Spain.
Still, Switzerland has reason to be confident.
The veteran squad boasts nine holdovers from the 2006 World Cup squad that reached the round of 16 and was eliminated on penalties by Ukraine despite not having conceded a goal over four games.
Honduras can still qualify for the knockout stage with a big win against Switzerland and some luck, and coach Reinaldo Rueda said his team will fight as long as there’s a chance to advance.
"We must go out to win, and dignity must emerge," Rueda said. "We must take into account that we still mathematically have a faint hope of qualifying."
