To be labelled the most attractive South American team when Brazil are included in the competition is some testimony to the strides Chile have made as a side. Unfortunately, they appear to lack the defensive strength to match, demonstrated through the conceding of 22 goals in qualifying, seven of which came in their two encounters with Brazil. They reached South Africa courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Colombia, with substitute Jorge Valdivia scoring one goal and creating the other three. It is Chile’s first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1998.
Argentine coach Marcelo Biesla has instilled a confidence in his side they have rarely demonstrated on the world stage, and his favouring of attacking play is admirable, if not sometimes a touch naive. The squad is an extremely young one, averaging around 23, and is forged around the creative skills of of players like Sporting Lisbon’s Matias Fernandez and Al Ain’s Jorge Valdivia and the goalscoring prowess of striker’s Alexis Sanchez of Udinese and Monterrey’s Humberto Suazo. Chile could well be one to keep an eye on and could well upset a few.
Manager: Marcelo Biesla
Key player: Alexis Sanchez
Best: Third place (1962)
World ranking: 15