Following on from their opening 3-1 victory over Australia, Chile will believe that they are in a great position to qualify from Group B. Chile will be hoping that they can blow teams away in a similar fashion to the way they did in the first 20 minutes of the match against the Socceroos. The team started with real attacking purpose and deservedly went ahead on 12 minutes through Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez. It took just 2 minutes for the Chileans to double their advantage, this time it was Jorge Valdivia who provided a delightful finish to a good move.

Despite a very good opening 25 minutes, Chile then sat back and allowed Australia back into the game, Tim Cahill threatened on more than one occasion before he headed home for the Aussies 10 minutes before half-time. For much of the remaining game, Australia were on the front foot and could easily have made it 2-2 but did not take their chances. In the dying moments of the game, substitute Jean Beausejour made the points safe for Chile with a lovely strike into the far corner of the goal.

If Chile want to go far in the World Cup they will have to sustain their opening 20 minutes performance against Australia for a lot longer in the next 2 games against Spain and Netherlands. Australia did not have the fire power to punish Chile for sitting back on their lead too soon but Spain and Netherlands will surely punish them. The Chileans have the players going forward to hurt the very best teams in this tournament, they just have to find the balance between attack and defence. A further worry for Chile will be the fitness of midfielder Arturo Vidal, who left the field early against Australia. Vidal is a key player for Chile and his loss will deal a severe blow to their chances of progressing in the tournament. Unlike Spain and Netherlands, Chile do not have the depth in strength to cope with the loss of such an important player.

The next match will be crucial to Chile's chances of going far in this World Cup. Spain will be hurting after their big defeat to Netherlands and nothing but a win will do for the Spanish. However, Chile have the players to hit Spain on the counter attack and if they can find the balance between attack and defence, they can punish Spain on the break. If Chile can get out of Group B, they may face hosts Brazil but if they can win the group chances are they will play Mexico or Croatia, teams they will be confident they can beat. Therefore, if Chile can repeat the first 20 minutes of their performance against Australia over the next 2 games then they have a good chance of making at least the last 16. If they can avoid Brazil in the last 16 then a quarter final place is a definite possibility for them in this World Cup.

Chile odds to qualify from group – 1.67 @ Bet365

Chile odds to win the World Cup – 41.00 @ Bet365