Former Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez scored a winner against ten man Switzerland. The Swiss get their 67 minutes becoming the toughest defense in World Cup history beating the Italian record of 550 minutes without conceding a goal. But in the end their manful effort was not enough.
This was another officiating nightmare and Valon Behrami should never have been sent off. There was a bit of arm flailing from Behrami but it was not malicious or threatening but Khalil Al Ghamdi of Saudi Arabia bought Arturo Vidal’s theatrics and sent off Behrami with a straight red card in the 31st minute.
This was another horribly wrong decision which impacted the nature of the game as Switzerland scaled back any attacking ambition and concentrated on keeping the Chileans out. Ghamdi was not done though and the players were on tenterhooks as he doled out 9 yellow cards keeping up with Alberto Undiano in the Serbia vs Germany game.
Despite down a man, the Swiss looked like pulling off a draw as Alexis Sanchez and the Chilean attack although full of enterprise and skill, lacked a finishing touch. This was to change in the 75th minute when Jorge Valdivia split the Swiss defense finding Estaban Paredes. The Colo Colo winger sped off arriving on the ball a fraction before Diego Benaglia, neatly sidestepping him, wheeling around and lofting a cross with his left foot onto the head of the arriving Gonzalez.
Chile could have gone two up but Paredes missed an absolute sitter blazing his shot over a few minutes later. The Swiss under siege could have themselves pulled off a coup if Eren Derdiyok have been a bit more composed in his finish. With a gaping goal in front of him, he shot wide left.
Chile are now on top with 6 points, Spain is ahead of Switzerland on goal differential with both teams on 4 points, while Honduras has been eliminated. Now all eyes are on the third round – the big showdown will be between Spain and Chile and Switzerland and Honduras. If both European teams win, then Chile is out.