PRETORIA, South Africa — With Spain staring at an early exit from the World Cup, David Villa and Andres Iniesta each scored and Spain beat Chile 2-1 on Friday to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Villa scored on a shot from 45 yards out in the 24th minute, when goalkeeper Claudio Bravo came out of his area and cleared a ball straight to the Spain striker.
“David’s goal was very important because it occurred at a time when it was very uncomfortable for us,” Iniesta said. “After the goal, we felt more comfortable on the pitch.”
Iniesta then doubled the advantage by beating Bravo with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area in the 37th, with Marco Estrada ejected after collecting his second yellow card on the play.
“It was even until the ejection,” Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa said. “We never thought we were better than Spain, though we could compete with Spain on equal footing. But from the 40th minute, the match changed its complexion entirely.”
Chile didn’t back down, though, pressing and scoring on substitute Rodrigo Millar’s deflected shot in the 47th.
Spain finished at the top of Group H with six points and will play Portugal in the next round. Chile was second and will play Brazil.
“We have a unique opportunity,” Iniesta said. “The team has demonstrated a good attitude. The draw with Portugal is difficult.”
Chile was the first South American team to lose a match at the 2010 World Cup, but all five of the continent’s teams have qualified for the second round.
The Chileans will be without defender Waldo Ponce against Brazil on Monday after he picked up a yellow card for kicking Fernando Torres.
Brazil 0, Portugal 0
DURBAN, South Africa — Brazil striker Nilmar had a shot tipped against the goalpost by goalkeeper Eduardo in the 30th minute, and Luis Fabiano’s close-range header just missed wide in the 39th.
Portugal had a goal denied by keeper Julio Cesar in the 60th, when he tipped wide a shot by Raul Meireles after a dangerous run by Ronaldo.
“We played to win, but our opponent didn’t,” Brazil coach Dunga said. “We always tried to attack, but they only tried to take advantage of our mistakes.”
Switzerland 0, Honduras 0
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — The Swiss could have locked up a spot in the second round with a two-goal victory over Honduras.
But Switzerland played with little urgency or creative flair until late in the match, and it couldn’t turn its domination of possession into quality scoring opportunities.
Ivory Coast 3, North Korea 0
NELSPRUIT, South Africa — Yaya Toure, Koffi Romaric N’Dri and Salomon Kalou each scored, but the Elephants needed Portugal to lose to Brazil, then had to make up a nine-goal difference with the Portuguese to have a chance of advancing to the second round.
