Spain v Chile WC 2014

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QPR999

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Mar 26, 2011
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Rio de Janeiro 20:00 BST

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Fernando Torres has warned that Spain are prepared to win at all costs against Chile on Wednesday - even if it means abandoning their usual stylish football.

Spain know only a victory against their Group B opponents at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro will suffice following their 5-1 humbling by Holland last week.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has said he will make some changes - Gerard Pique's and Xavi's places are at risk - but could keep faith with keeper Iker Casillas who made a couple of bad mistakes against the Dutch.

Chelsea striker Torres said the reigning world and European champions cannot even contemplate going out of the tournament.

He told a news conference: "The important thing is that we win, hopefully in our usual style, at the high level that allowed us to win the World Cup and the Euros. And if we can't win like that, we have to win any way we can, because otherwise we'll have to go back home. All that's important tomorrow is that Spain plays and wins."

Torres admitted the pressure will be intense against a Chile side who saw off Australia to put themselves just a win away from qualifying.

He added: "We think that the match is going to be like any matches against Chile - it's going to be really intense. They take a lot of risks because that's the way they are.

"They've had good results with that so we have to fight from the beginning, but we have to be calm at the same time. We know a draw's not enough. We need to win, but we need to stay calm. One of the problems against Holland was we weren't able to interpret what was going on and that's something we're usually good at.

"We feel a responsibility to defend our title, and there's pressure, but it's a shared pressure. We won as a team and if we lose, we lose as a team. If we win it'll be the whole team - 23 players plus coaches and everyone else.

"We're not even thinking about the possibility of defeat."

Del Bosque said the team "are really hurting" and added: "We still have a chance to progress in the World Cup but this situation has made a response from the players necessary if we want to advance."

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said the days since the Holland defeat had been agony, and pointed out that Spain had lost their opening match of the last World Cup - 1-0 to Switzerland - but still went on to win the tournament.

He said: "I wished we had played one or two days after because the waiting has been really hard.

"We must forget what has happened and put it behind us. We have two matches that are now like finals. We had a similar situation at the last World Cup and will give it our very best to win and get to the second phase.

"Chile are a difficult team. We have to defend, fight one versus one and hope our creative players can make the difference."

Meanwhile, Spain's third-choice keeper David de Gea, the Manchester United player, is still injured, according to Spanish team officials.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said he would make a decision close to kick-off on Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, who only played for the first half of the 3-1 win over Australia.

Vidal had knee surgery a month ago and is still getting back to full fitness.

Sampaoli told a news conference: "I always said it was very difficult for him to join us here because he had a very serious injury and he had surgery.

"However, he managed to play some minutes against Australia and we'll see how he feels now. He's been training at a higher pace this week and we'll see if he can play some minutes.

"We analyse his situation every single day. We know he's recovering now, he feels much better and he's here because he's really dedicated and willing to play.

"Arturo wants to play for the national team and we're very happy to have him here, if that doesn't damage him."

Sampaoli knows Spain will be fighting for their lives.

He added: "I think they will be difficult to beat. Don't forget they're one of the best teams in the world.

"I'm sure the game will be quite different because Spain are really strong and I'm pretty sure the Spain coach will have some sort of strategy."

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Sara Carbonero ( Iker Casillas's wife )

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Pamela Diaz ( Manuel Diaz's Wife )


Paul Merson's prediction

This is a very tough game and a big one at that. Spain need to win in my opinion; if the Netherlands win their game and all of a sudden Chile draw with Spain, I could see Chile and the Dutch playing out for a boring draw to take Spain out of competition.

For me it’s a big, big game but I do think they’ll nick it and score a couple of goals. I say that because I expect Diego Costa to score a couple of goals – Chile are a small team and struggled against Gary Cahill in the friendly at Wembley in November and he’s not the biggest lad in the world – he’s good in the air but he's no Costa.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

Chile have never beaten Spain in their 10 previous encounters (D2 L8).
Spain have won the two previous meetings with Chile at the World Cup: in 1950 (2-0) and in 2010 (2-1). The game in 1950 was played at the Maracana; which is where this encounter is taking place.
Chile have lost their two previous World Cup games against the defending champion, both against Brazil (in 1962 and 1998).
In their group opener against the Netherlands, Spain conceded 5+ goals in an international for the first time since losing 6-2 to Scotland in June 1963.
 
Another great job Nines, you're working overtime here to keep producing these threads for our match banter and enjoyment - you definitely have a keen eye for the ladies too!

I'm just home from work and unfortunately will only catch the 1st half of this match today. Could PVR it, but so many games going on that I would never catch up.
 
Chile are the best team to watch in this tournament. Great skill, attitude, speed and they obviously love playing for their country.
 
Chile are the best team to watch in this tournament. Great skill, attitude, speed and they obviously love playing for their country.

They pissed all over England in a friendly a few months back and are clearly a dark horse in this. Spain were my choice as winners in Roller's competition, that looks like it's gone tits-up...<doh>
 
Chile are the best team to watch in this tournament. Great skill, attitude, speed and they obviously love playing for their country.

This. My Chile is doing the biz, love watching their intense pressure and workrate.

Neither England or Germany could live with them, now it's Spain' turn.
 
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