The FIFA World Cup Thread #2/Sports Thread Special #2 For 6/21/10: Gonzalez Goal, Behrami Red Card, The Talking Points In Big Chilean Win

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

The Final Analysis:
The Man of the Match was no question, again, a referee. Sigh indeed.

Though Chile were the brighter of the two teams in the beginning, the match was still very even until Vahron Behrami was given a ridiculous red card by Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi.

It was a joke of a call on Behrami, as he gave a slight elbow to Isla that got him sent off, and completely changed the game. Sanchez was lively again today, but his finishing is still a major weakness in his otherwise prodigiously talented game.

And that aspect of Sanchez's characteristics is prevalent in all of the Chilean players outside of one Humberto Suazo. Chance, after chance, after chance, from substitute Paredas to his fellow sub Gonzalez (before he scored with his timely header), blown by the 2nd place team in CONMEBOL qualifying.

In fact, all of those missed opportunities came back to bite Chile in this game, as the normally quality finisher that is Eren Derdiyok missed a sitter after a brilliant backheel from Bunjaku to tie this game.

Nevertheless, the Swiss should hold their heads up after this game, still well alive and in full control of their destiny. They got the result they needed by beating Spain. Now all they have to do is just handle their business with Honduras in the final match, and they will be fine.

And also, Ottmar Hitzfield should start Drediyok over Alex Frei in their final match. Frei did not look good today for his country, as his injury still seems to be affecting him in a major way today.

For Chile, it's a massive three points to at least place more pressure on Spain here. But all of those miss chances, where they should have won at least 3-0 today (and almost gave up a game tying goal) will come back to haunt them against a Spanish team that will be hell bent on getting first in this Group and avoiding Brazil.

Mark those words down indeed folks.

The Man of the Match is the goal scorer, and deservedly so:

The full review.

And the Match Archive:

The lineup, and it is reported to be the youngest lineup of this World Cup from Chile, while Behrami and Frei return to the lineup and have talented Leverkausen men Barnetta and Brediyok to the bench.

Suazo is back here, and he has picked up an early yellow.

I do believe the Swiss experience combined with their own quality will give them the win today. And their familiarity with a number of these Chilean players, especially Sanchez and Videl.