Defending champions Spain becomes the first side to be knocked out of the 2014 World Cup, after losing 2-0 to Chile at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
Eduardo Vargas capped a fine move by the Chilean team with an opening goal 19 minutes after kick-off, before Charles Aranguiz made Iker Casillas pay for another error with the second, two minutes before the break.
Sergio Bousquet should have pulled one back for the European champions, but mishit a glaring opportunity with an empty net gasping for the ball.
‘La Roja Furia’ were looking to bounce back from last week’s 5-1 humiliation by the Netherlands, but were outplayed by a vibrant Jorge Sampaoli’s side, which now faces the losing finalists four years ago in South Africa for a chance to finish top of Group B.
Xavi Hernandez was left out of Spain’s starting line-up for the first time since the 2-1 win over Greece at Euro 2012, with Jarvi Martinez named in his place. Coach Vicente del Bosque shipped Gerard Pique out of his starting 11 as well.
Midfielder Arturo Vidal started his second match for the South Americans since having a knee surgery in May.
Chile were right at their opponents’ half from the blast of the whistle and Vargas- from a Vidal assist- almost forced an own-goal from the Spaniard in the first minute of play.
Spain’s first response after a very poor start was punched away by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, following Xabi Alonso free-kick.
Sloppy midfield play by Alonso gifted Chile the opener on 19 minutes, a fine link-up play between Alexis Sanchez and Aranguiz ended at the feet of Vargas, who sidestepped Casillas, then toed the ball home.
Spain’s lack of composure denied them chances of getting right back in the game, with Alonso and Costa both blowing every glimmer of hopes wide.
However, Sampaoli’s team were not ready to toil with their hopes of placing the game beyond their opponent when another poor goalkeeping from Casillas presented them with an opportunity.
The Real Madrid veteran punched out Sanchez’s straightforward free-kick right back at Aranguiz, who wasted no time to plant a curling shot into the top corner with his right foot.
With Spain two goals down in the opening 45 minutes, the players ducked their heads down and up the tunnel in the interval and once back for the concluding part; failed to come up with any real threat at goal.
Five minutes after restart, Chelsea-bound Diego Costa wasted too much time to bury a big chance, after being picked out in the box.
Few minutes later Busquet was open to an equaliser at the back stick, from Costa’s overhead kick across goal, only to miscalculate the speed of the ball and watch it hit his ankle before it rolled wide.
Spain fluffed two clear chances in the opening ten minutes of the second-half and were lucky not to have gone 3-0 down when Mauricio Isla’s slide on 69 minutes flew over.
Andres Iniesta almost grabbed a consolation in the 84th minute, but his long-range bended shot was well kept out by Bravo.
Substitute Santi Cazorla’s low free-kick failed to hit target, as the 2010 champions were sent packing after conceding seven goals in their first 2 games in Brazil- as many as they had conceded in their previous 13 World Cup games.
They also are the first ever champion to lose their first two World Cup game after winning.
The result sees Holland and Chile through to the round of 16, while Spain and Australia will be playing for pride at the Arena da Baixada on Monday, with both sides already confirmed for early exits.
