These might not be the best two teams in the tournament, but both of them are looking to make an impression here in the group stage. Their opening match had speed and stunning passes, dramatic goals and equally dramatic goal-line clearances. Australia went two down in the first fourteen minutes, but the Socceroos fought back and turned what some predicted would be a one-sided goalfest into an exciting game of football.
Chile: Sanchez 12’, Valdivia 14’, Beausejour 90’+
Australia: Cahill 35’
Lineups
Chile: Bravo, Mena, Jara, Medel, Aranguiz, Valdivia, Vidal, Isla, Diaz, Sanchez, Vargas
Australia: Ryan, Wilkinson, Davidson, Spiranovic, Franjic, Cahill, Milligan, Bresciano, Jedinak, Leckie, Oar
Chile started out on a rampage, bolstered by the presence of two of their top players, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, who had both been in doubt because of injuries (Vidal recently underwent knee surgery and Sanchez was dealing with some shoulder pain). Alexis opened the goal-scoring for Chile in the twelfth minute.
His teammate, Jorge Valdivia, got one past Maty Ryan just two minutes later.
Chile looked to be on their way toward a Netherlands-style blow-out, but then Tim Cahill flipped the script with a header in the thirty-fifth minute.
The Socceroos spent the second half searching for an equalizer, but Chile weren’t about to let them have it, nor were they content with just a one-goal lead. They came close to extending it in the sixty-second minute, but a phenomenal goal-line clearance by Alex Wilkinson kept Australia in the fight.
It wasn’t until the second minute of added time that the substitute, Jean Beausejour, sealed the victory by scoring Chile’s third goal. The Reds ended the match elated, but Australia can definitely be proud of the way they played. In a World Cup that has, so far, been a series of unpredictable events, I’d expect the unexpected from them going forward.
-Katie Ann
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
chile looked dangerous – when they felt up to it. i suppose we’ll see how much they fancy their chances.
great match reports, katie ann!
Thanks!
They did look dangerous at times. I’m very curious as to whether that will persist or fade. I make no predictions about this group because it’s all madness, heh.