Wednesday, June 16, 2010

World Cup Review: Swiss bliss

On Thursday we’ll examine Chile’s 1-0 win over fellow Latin Americans Honduras and Uruguay’s clash with South Africa. For now, however, the first massive upset of this month's World Cup occurred moments ago.

Bookies, aficionados, and even a video game simulator have picked Spain as the favorite to win the World Cup and this morning they had a chance to prove them right in their opening match against Switzerland. Yet a funny thing happened in Durban thanks to Gelson Fernandes' opportune goal in the 52nd-minute:

The stunning loss means that La Furia Roja will be forced to win their next match against Honduras or else they will become the third consecutive European champion to be knocked out in the World Cup first round. "We tried in an orthodox way and in an heroic way but we were not able to source a goal,” admitted Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque after a match where Spain dominated most of open play.

Spain’s loss is wonderful news for Chile who will certainly be anticipating Monday’s clash against Group H co-leaders Switzerland. Chile’s victory earlier today via a 34th-minute goal by Jean Beausejour was the country’s first in nearly fifty years.

Online Sources- YouTube, USA TODAY, BBC Sport, The Latin Americanist, RTE

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