Dream debut for Chile, now bring on Spain…
Chile´s World Cup stars stressed the importance of earning maximum points in the opener after battling their way past Australia in Cuiabá.
The 3-1 victory was a great start for la Roja, though they will need to improve for the upcoming games against Spain and Holland. Spain are next up at the Maracana on Wednesday.
But the mood in the camp is upbeat after starting with a victory.
Captain Claudio Bravo said: “It was super important to get a win, however we achieved it. The start of a tournament isn´t easy and the temperature was very high which made it tough.”
A big plus for Chile was that Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal got an hour under his belt on his return from a knee injury.
Bravo added: “Arturo has made an incredible effort to be able to play.”
Vidal was angry at being subbed off on the hour mark and threw his bib to the ground.
He insisted: “I was furious with myself because I couldn´t be at 100 per cent. I did the best I could, but I lacked a little bit. However, the important thing was to win.”
Now the focus will switch to the Spain match, which could prove decisive in Group B. Spain will be desperate to bounce back following their 5-1 humiliation against Holland to keep their chances alive.
Vidal added: “Spain are going to be hurting after the Holland game and it´s going to be very hard. I hope I can play better.”
It looked as though la Roja would be in for an easy night when they took a two-goal lead in the opening 14 minutes against the Aussies.
Barcelona striker Alexis Sánchez bagged the first in the 12th minute when he coolly slotted home from six years after good work from Charles Aránguiz.
Palmeiras midfielder Jorge Valdivia scored a superb second two minutes later, striking a sweet shot high into the net from the edge of the box after superb build-up play from Sánchez.
After Holland´s stunning victory against world champions Spain earlier in the day, it looked as though another rout was on the cards. However, Chile lost their way and Australia grew in confidence.
Chile´s lack of height in defence was exposed when former Everton striker Tim Cahill got above Cardiff´s Gary Medel to plant a header past Chile skipper Claudio Bravo on 35 minutes.
In the second half, Eduardo Vargas had an effort cleared off the line after another superb Sánchez pass, but Australia also posed problems for Bravo.
It wasn´t until stoppage time when Wigan´s Jean Beausejour wrapped things up by rifling home a powerful low drive. Four years ago, Beausejour scored the winner in Chile´s opener against Honduras, so he proved again he´s the man for the big occasion.
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