International

Navas Saves Spain In Injury Time

21 Sep 10, 2013 - 10:29 pm

By Diogo Peral

World champions Spain needed a last minute goal to hold Chile to a 2-2 draw in an international friendly at the Stade de Genéve tonight.

Chile have lost to Spain in every previous meeting, but their recent form has been very good, winning five of their last six games. However Spain have lost just once in their last 29 games, that being in the Confederation Cup final against Brazil.

Chile started positively and had much of the early possession, their first goal scoring opportunity coming as early as the second minute.

And it was Chile who opened scoring in just the fifth minute as Eduardo Vargas, receiving the ball from Mauricio Isla, was played onside by Sergio Ramos and placed his shot into the bottom corner.

The goal gave the Chileans a huge confidence boost, and they continued to cause problems for the world champions, and looked the better side for much of the first half.

But despite a rather lacklustre performance, Spain equalized in the 38th minute through Robert Soldado who headed home from a good cross by Pedro. It was the first real time they had threatened the Chilean goal.

Buoyed by the goal Spain almost made it two as Cesc Fabregas hit the post in the 41st minute.

But in the 44th minute it was Chile who would regain the lead as Vargas ran through the defence and slotted home his second past Victor Valdés to give them a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Spain started the second half a lot better and started to show a lot more intent in going forward. But in the 65th minute it was Chile again who went closest to scoring, the Spanish defence fortunate that Gary Medel's shot was deflected just wide of the goal.

Ten minutes later Chile should have had their third but an unmarked Alexis Sanchez header flew wide.

Jesús Navas had a great chance in the 78th minute as he beat Marcos González but his shot was was well stopped by Claudio Bravo.

Negredo missed a wonderful chance in the 86th minute as he just couldn't reach a great cross from Navas.

And just when Chile thought they had their first ever win over the Spanish, Navas got the equalizer, two minutes into referee's optional time. Once again it was Pedro who set it up, after he received a great ball from Negredo. He found Navas who finished easily from close range.

Read: Spain Edge Closer To Brazil