Dignitaries from all over the world will gather in Brazil in early December for the FIFA World Cup draw as the field of teams is divided into groups for next summer’s festivities. As part of its “32 teams in 32 days” series, SPORTSNET.CA will profile each of the nations set to compete at Brazil, leading up to the draw on Dec. 6.
Chile is the prototypical middle-of-the-pack South American team. They aren’t a perpetual powerhouse like Brazil or Argentina, aren’t as hit-or-miss as a side like Colombia, aren’t a regional punching bag like Bolivia and Venezuela. They’re exactly the kind of team that’s prone to be underrated—which opponents do at their peril. The one blot on their otherwise steady World Cup record came in qualifying for the 1990 tournament. In the final group match, losing 1-0 to Brazil—who occupied top spot in the group and, so, the berth in Italia ‘90—Chile walked off the field after alleging a firecracker thrown from the crowd struck goalkeeper Roberto Rojas, bloodying his head. An investigation found that Rojas’ injury was self-inflicted, done with a razor blade hidden in his glove. Rojas was banned for life, and Chile disqualified for the 1990 World Cup (a moot point after the crucial match was awarded to Brazil) and banned from the 1994 tournament.
Programming alert: Watch the World Cup draw from Brazil on Dec. 6 live on all four main Sportsnet channels. Coverage begins at 10:30 am ET/7:30 am PT | TV schedule
How they got here: Chile kept things interesting through the length of CONMEBOL qualifying, never getting comfortably high in the standings and only finally securing a direct route to Brazil on the last matchday.
Key match: Level on points with Ecuador, Chile knew a win last month would guarantee a berth in Brazil. A loss would take their fate out of their hands—if Uruguay won big enough in their match against Argentina, the goal differential could drop Chile in fifth place, and force them into the intercontinental playoffs. Two goals in four minutes, from Alexis Sanchez and Gary Medel, secured the result.
Star player: Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez is all but unplayable when he’s at his best, at 24 years old already fifth all-time in scoring for his country. At the tip of Chile’s spearing counter-attack, Sanchez has the pace, creativity and movement off the ball to carve defences up. What’s more, he is in searing form this season, with seven goals in nine games for Barca and having just bagged a brace in a friendly against England. Defenders beware.
Player on the bubble: David Pizarro is an odd case. First capped for his country at 20, the now-34-year-old midfielder took nearly eight years off from the national team, citing issues with the former manager and lack of commitment from fellow players. At the tail end of 2014 qualifying, however, he returned to La Roja after personal discussions with new manager Jorge Sampaoli. Called in for the last six matches, the Fiorentina player made three appearances, starting twice and even captaining Chile against Venezuela. While his experience is undoubted, Pizarro remains a question mark moving forward.
Team strengths: Scoring depth. Chile had the second-most goals scored in South American qualifying (behind Leo Messi and Argentina) and they did it with 13 goal scorers—more than any other CONMEBOL country. Having such a multi-headed threat in attack will serve La Roja well in Brazil.
Team weaknesses: Defending. For all their potency up front, Chile has been woeful at the back, conceding 25 goals in qualifying—tied for worst amongst CONMEBOL qualifiers. Even more worrying: They seem utterly incapable of handling world-class strikers. In eight matches, the Chileans conceded 13 goals to Radamel Falcao, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez alone. Only once did they keep a clean sheet against one of the big guns of South America—at home to Uruguay in March. The problem: when the big show starts, there won’t be the likes of Venezuela and Paraguay to pad your stats. Every team will be world class up front, and if Chile’s defenders can’t handle it, they’re in for a rough ride.
World Cup record
-
1930—First round
1934 and 1938—Withdrew
1950—First round
1954 and 1958—Did not qualify
1962—Semifinals (third place)
1966—First round
1970—Did not qualify
1974—First round
1978—Did not qualify
1982—First round
1986—Did not qualify
1990—Disqualified
1994—Banned
1998—Second round
2002 and 2006—Did not qualify
2010—Second round
Team profiles: Algeria | Argentina | Australia | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Cameroon | Chile | Costa Rica | Colombia | Croatia | Ecuador | England| Germany | Ghana | Greece | Honduras | Iran | Italy | Ivory Coast | Japan | Mexico | The Netherlands | Nigeria | Portugal | Russia | South Korea | Spain | Switzerland | United States | Uruguay