It was a little more difficult than expected, but Spain finally flashed some of its trademark skill in time to secure its place in the World Cup Round of 16, and in time to re-instill some hope that the 2008 European champions might be able to challenge for a World Cup title.
With a potential group stage elimination staring them in the face, the Spanish responded with the type of skillful performance expected from one of the tournament favorites.
The story on Friday was Spain’s composure and the return of its sharp passing and possession game. It was no mistake that Iniesta’s return from a thigh injury helped settle a Spanish attack that struggled so badly in its loss to Switzerland, and still failed to fire in its 2-0 victory against Honduras.
Iniesta came into the tournament with the thigh injury, and didn’t look himself in the Switzerland match, but with a chance to rest against Honduras, he returned with the energy and creativity Spain’s attack needed.
Spain didn’t have it easy -- not against a fast and talented Chilean team that wasn’t afraid to try and go right at Spain. Unfortunately for the South Americans, their overzealous defending led to a rash of early yellow cards, and a harsh second yellow on Marco Estrada for an unintentional clip of Fernando Torres’ foot left Chile a man down and two goals down.
David Villa helped get Spain there. First with a perfectly-placed shot from more than 50 yards away after Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo raced out to beat Fernando Torres to a dangerous ball. Then by working a give-and-go with Iniesta before the Barcelona star perfectly placed his first World Cup goal just 37 minutes into the match.
Spain still wouldn’t have an easy night. Not after Chile pulled a goal back just two minutes into the second half. The close score forced Spain to defend and lean on its stellar midfield to try and slow down a Chile attack that still mustered some impressive moments despite being a man down.
No, it wasn’t the dominant Spain we expected to see in this World Cup, but beating an impressive Chilean side helped ease some of the fears instilled by Spain’s World Cup-opening loss to Switzerland.
It is clear Spain’s improved play was sparked by the return of Iniesta to the lineup. His vision and movement, when combined with Xavi in midfield, makes it difficult for opposing defenses to cope, and Chile had few answers other to foul as they tried in vain to chase the ball around Spain’s precise passing routes.
Spain still isn’t firing on all cylinders, not with Fernando Torres still looking like a shell of himself. He looked better against Chile than he had all tournament, but it still isn’t the level Spain needs to have a serious chance of winning the World Cup. Especially not with the path to the final that is awaiting.
We might have gotten a glimpse of Spain’s best lineup in the second half, when Fabregas replaced Torres to switch Spain into a 4-2-3-1 formation. Unfortunately for Spain head coach Vicent Del Bosque, Fabregas is still working his way back from his own injury, much the way Torres is.
Ultimately, that is what has doomed Spain to its slow start. Key injuries that have taken some of the sting out of a Spain attack that needs be at its best in order to keep pressure off a defense that isn’t an imposing unit.
Spain won’t have much time to rest. The Spanish must take on a dangerous Portugal side in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. The short turnaround time won’t help ailing players such as Fabregas and Torres, who both look a bit short of being 90 minutes fit. On a positive note, Iniesta did go 90 minutes against Chile, earning Man of the Match honors in the process.
As much as Friday’s victory showed that Spain must still be taken seriously at this World Cup, we won’t really know just how serious a title contender the Spanish are until they face a Portugal side that has yet to lose or allow a goal this tournament. A win against Cristiano Ronaldo and Co., and we can start to forget the vulnerable Spain team that began the tournament and start paying attention to the Spain team this World Cup was expecting when the games began.
Ives Galarcep is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the U.S. national team and Major League Soccer.
