Stylish and attacking from the opening whistle, Chile continued their impressive run in Group H play on Monday in Port Elizabeth, earning a 1-0 win over 10-man Switzerland. But it wasn’t easy. Despite being up a man, they managed only one goal, a 75th-minute strike from Mark Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who was actually born in South Africa, headed in a cross from Esteban Paredes, breaking the Swiss hope of holding on for a scoreless draw. Paredes ran onto a lovely through ball, and, with goalkeeper Diego Benaglio out to challenge him, lofted the ball to the far post, where Gonzalez was waiting. His header bounced past a flailing defender and in off the bottom of the crossbar.
The game hinged, however, on a controversial call from Saudi referee Khalil Al Ghamdi in the 31st minute—another in a list of atrocious officiating decisions so far this World Cup. Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami was shown a dubious straight red card. With his arms high to shield the ball from Arturo Vidal, Behrami was adjudged to have elbowed the Chilean in the face. But in truth, the Swiss midfielder made no motion to strike Vidal, and Vidal’s histrionic reaction was shameful.
But the damage was done, and Switzerland, already taking up a defensive posture against the offensive 3-3-1-3 employed by Chile coach Marcello Bielsa, bunkered in even further. Seattle Sounders’ new acquisition Blaise N'kufo was left alone up top for the Swiss, working tirelessly as a targetman, looking to relieve pressure when possible.
Recovering striker Humberto Suazo was back in the Chile starting XI, but the danger man was again Alexis Sanchez. In the 40th minute, the Udinese playmaker found some space in the area, but Benaglio was able to get down quickly to make the save.
Sanchez continued to impress in the second half, leading wave after wave of Chilean attack. He appeared to have struck an opener in the 49th minute, but his low shot from outside the box was called back for an offside on the play. In the 55th minute, Sanchez was in alone, but the heroic Benaglio was up to the task again.
Despite all the Chilean offense, Switzerland nearly pulled off a late shock. Erin Dediyok, who subbed on in the second half, was set up with a glorious chance to put away a 90th-minute equalizer. All alone about 12 yards out, he pulled his shot wide.
Chile now stand alone atop the Group H standings, however, they face Spain in their final match, on Friday. Switzerland take on Honduras on the same day.
Scoring Summary
CHI – Gonzalez 75’
Chile: C. Bravo; G. Jara, G. Medel, W. Ponce; M. Isla, A. Vidal (M. Gonzalez 46’), C. Carmona; M. Fernández (E. Paredes 65’); J. Beausejour, A. Sánchez, H. Suazo (J. Valdivia 46’)
Switzerland: D. Benaglio; S. Grichting, S. Lichtsteiner, S. von Bergen, R. Ziegler; V. Behrami, B. Huggel, G. Fernandes (A. Bunjaku 77’), G. İnler; A. Frei (T. Barnetta 42’), B. N'Kufo (E. Derdiyok 68’)
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