Spain in do or die battle against Chile

Rio de Janeiro, June 17 (IANS/EFE) It will be a do or die battle for defending champions Spain when they face Chile in their next World Cup match at the Maracana here Wednesday.

Spain will have to win both their remaining matches against Chile and Australia after they were thrashed 1-5 by the Netherlands in their opening match in Group B, reports EFE.

The defending champions will now seek inspiration from their 2010 World Cup triumph when they also lost their first match against Switzerland but then went on to lift the trophy.

Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque said that he will make "two or three" changes from the line-up that started against the Netherlands.

The Chileans will look forward to building up on their 3-1 win over Australia, and take revenge after their 2-1 loss from Spain in the 2010 World Cup group stage.

Chile's Arturo Vidal said that eliminating the Spaniards from the competition would be beautiful.

"Our goal is not to eliminate any team in particular, but to be the World Champions. With time, Spain have more quality players who are technically better. This Spain is much stronger than the one that won the World Cup in 2010," said Vidal.

Both the teams have played 10 times in the past, with Spain winning eight times and they drew twice.

--IANS/EFE

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