Argentina’s strikers prove to be the difference with two quick-fire goals in first half.
Chile suffered a frustrating defeat at the hands of Argentina Tuesday in a 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign match in Santiago’s Estadio Nacional. Despite enjoying a number of goal-scoring opportunities during the game, La Roja lacked the clinical finishing of their opponents, who scored twice in three minutes during the first half.
Defeat for Chile saw their stuttering qualifying campaign continue, while Argentina has now won five of their last six games and continue to lead the South American qualification.
The pre-match talk was all about the future of Chile’s coach Claudio Borghi, who, two poor performances from his team against Colombia and Ecuador, has seen increasing pressure mount against his position.
To make things worse for Borghi, influential midfielder Arturo Vidal and experienced defender Pablo Contreras were suspended after red cards against Ecuador, while striker Humberto Suazo and team captain Claudio Bravo are still ruled out injured.
Chile’s Barcelona star Alexis Sánchez took some positives from the game, and reiterated his support for his coach, alongside a number of other players.
“We played a great game. We did it for ourselves and I think the team and all the players support Claudio (Borghi),” Sánchez said. “Management shouldn’t think of another coach. Removing him would be a mistake.”
Matías Fernández showed his support for Borghi as well.
“We are 100 percent with Claudio – with him to the death – and we hope to qualify for the World Cup with him,” he said.
Despite the pre-match pessimism, Chile started the game well, pressing Argentina high up the field and demonstrating the attacking flair that had characterized their game before the recent winless streak. Gary Medel, back from suspension, had a clear chance in the first five minutes that was well-saved by Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
The early chance for Chile set the tone for the opening 25 minutes, and Romero was forced again to keep his team level after saving from Mark González’s diving header.
The Chilean midfield looked comfortable as well, breaking up Argentine attacks and passing the ball around with precision. Medel, Fernández and Sánchez looked particularly sharp while fullbacks Jean Beausejour and Mauricio Isla provided plenty of width for La Roja.
Argentina soon began to show signs of intent, however, and the intimidating attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio “Kun” Agüero became increasingly involved. Two goals in a matter of minutes showed how devastating Argentina’s frontline could be.
Messi, who had been quiet in opening exchanges, sprung into life and scored the opening goal in the 28th minute and his seventh of the qualifying campaign. He collected a fine, defense-splitting pass in the area from Fernando Gago, dragged the ball around a despairing challenge and slotted the ball past Miguel Pinto in goal.
Barely able to process the goal that came against the run of play, La Roja found themselves 2-0 down just three minutes later. Facing three defenders on the right hand side of the field, Higuaín waltzed into the box under little pressure before curling a left-footed finish beyond Pinto and into the top left corner.
The remainder of the first half was an all-out attacking display, full of end-to-end soccer, with both teams creating clear chances. Again Medel had the clearest of opportunities for Chile, but his poor first touch in the box allowed Ángel di Maria to get back and block the shot.
Argentina looked dangerous on the counterattack, and closed out the half with three good chances for Agüero, Higuaín and di Maria, but was unable to add to their lead.
Chile had created ample opportunities in the first half but thanks to some poor finishing and goalkeeping heroics, was unable to make them count. As the referee blew for halftime, his assistant, clearly impressed with Messi’s attacking prowess, asked the Argentine maestro to pose for a photo with him.
The second half began in the same way the first ended, with La Roja recognizing the need to throw men forward, and looking increasingly exposed to an Argentinean counter attack.
Chile created the first clear chances of the half after excellent play from Sánchez from inside his own half. Sánchez skipped past a number of challenges before sweeping the ball out to Beausejour on the left. The defender swung over the ball into the box, but Sebastián Pinto could only direct his header over the bar from six yards.
The play became increasingly broken up in the second half as both teams began to rack up fouls and Argentina seemed content to soak up pressure and sit on their two goal lead. Chile, becoming ever desperate in the search for a way back into the game, continued throwing men forward, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
The frustration grew for Chile, who continued to waste good chances. Fernández curled a shot wide before Sánchez provided two chances for substitute Eduardo Vargas and Medel, who both snatched at their shots and dragged them wide.
Substitute Felipe Gutiérrez scored a late consolation goal and his first for Chile, firing a left-footed shot past Romero, whose left hand couldn’t keep the ball out.
Undoubtedly there were some positives to be taken away for Chile, who took the game to Argentina, but a third consecutive defeat in the qualifying campaign leaves them narrowly outside the playoff position in the league, level on twelve points with Venezuela and Uruguay.
The next round of qualifying is on March 22, with Chile travelling to Peru and Argentina hosting Venezuela.
By Tom Murphy (murphy@santiagotimes.cl)
Copyright 2012 - The Santiago Times