CHILE 3-1 AUSTRALIA
The day's final game looked to be a continuation of the blowout that preceded it early on.
All over their opponents off the start, Chile's high pressing attack and constant movement gave Australia all sorts of problems in the back. Australia attempted to mark tightly with the Chileans which often found them caught out of position.
Chile's overwhelming pressure offensively paid dividends in the 12th minute. Some great effort from Charles Aranguiz gave him possession at the corner of the 6 yard box. With goalkeeper Maty Ryan drawn out of position, Aranguiz' cross eventually landed to Alexis Sanchez who fired the ball past a scrambling Ryan.
The hits continued for Australia as just 2 minutes later, a Chilean fast break from Alexis Sanchez ended with a pass to Jorge Valdivia at the top of the area. With all kinds of time, Valdivia gently curled the ball over Ryan and under the crossbar to double Chile's lead in the opening stages.
Australia started to get a foothold in the game in the 20th with a pair of long strikes from Tommy Oar that never threatened the goal.
With Chile gaining more attacking possession again, Australia struck from nowhere. A long cross from out wide found the diminutive Tim Cahill in the penalty area. Cahill was able to rise above the equally tiny defender Gary Medel and smashed a header past Claudio Bravo.
The game opened up from there as Chile continued to back off the pressure. An Australian equalizer was taken away in the 53rd as Cahill was just offside. Minutes later, a Mark Bresciano volley was goal-bound and denied only by a great diving save from Bravo. That was the closest Australia ever came though and an injury-time goal from Jean Beausejour secured the Chilean victory.
Goals
Chile: Alexis Sanchez (12'), Jorge Valdivia (14'), Jean Beausejour (90+2')
Australia: Tim Cahill (35')
Discipline
Chile: Charles Aranguiz (86')
Australia: Tim Cahill (44'), Mile Jedinak (58'), Mark Milligan (67')
Man of the Match
Alexis Sanchez was named man of the match in this game. Sanchez opened the scoring early in the first half and provided speed and constant attacking play for Chile. I would posit that Tim Cahill get some honourable mention here. Cahill got Australia back in to the game with his headed goal. He also threatened with 2-3 other headers in the centre, including one goal called back on a close offside call. Cahill alone kept the Socceroos in this game.
Key Moment
Seconds after Sanchez got on the board, a Chilean fast break ended on the foot of Jorge Valdivia who deftly curled it under the crossbar for a quick 2-0 lead. Chile dropped off as the game progressed but Australia were never able to comeback from the 2-goal deficit that Valdivia created.
What We Learned from Chile
Not much that we didn't already know. Chile came furiously out of the gate and overwhelmed the Australian defence. Their burst was rewarded with a pair of goals in succession and a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes. Once Australia got in to the flow of the game though, Chile found themselves struggling in the offensive zone and being exploited in the back. May have to find some other way to use Gary Medel. Tim Cahill was all over Medel in the air and they have some far more dangerous strikers coming up in this group. Need to spread their attack out more. Way too many players collapsed to the top of the penalty area and no room to move around.
What We Learned from Australia
What they lack in talent they make up for in heart and effort. Australia struggled early on to deal with Chile's all-out attack, finding themselves down 2-0 quickly. Australia pulled things back though. They brought 9 players behind the ball, cluttered the penalty area and prevented Chile from finding any lanes towards their goal. While they were unimpressive going forward, they brimmed with confidence throughout and did their best to run with the speedy Chileans. Will struggle to get a point in this group but not for lack of trying.
Going Forward
Australia gave everything they could in this game and it wasn't enough. Left with dates against the 2010 finalists, any plans they have of advancing appear to be out the window. Chile was given a gift with the Netherlands blowing Spain out earlier today. With Spain next, Chile can likely take a draw against Spain and advance. They cannot afford to overlook a Spanish team that will surely be out for blood in their next match.
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