England’s sole consolation of a chastening night was the relief that they were not engaged in World Cup play-off action. Roy Hodgson’s side, who qualified automatically for Brazil in their last Wembley appearance, will need to raise their game considerably if they are to survive even the group stage next summer. Chile are good, and have a gem in Alexis Sánchez, but they will not be amongst the favourites at the World Cup.
England certainly will not be. There was a sterility of thought and movement as well as expensive mistakes in a defence that could conceivably be England’s first-choice back-four in Brazil. Sánchez exploited poor marking by Leighton Baines to head in after seven minutes and then a slip by Gary Cahill to dink the ball over Fraser Forster before the final whistle.
The end of England’s 10-match unbeaten run seemed almost an incidental detail, a minor casualty when set against the deep concerns Hodgson must have over the return of old failings. England could point to absent friends, and Steven Gerrard’s energy and Daniel Sturridge’s attacking were particularly missed, but Chile were also missing significant players, notably Juventus’ Arturo Vidal.
Yet all of Jorge Sampaoli’s players had an understanding of their tactical task, absorbing pressure and then breaking with speed and in numbers. They tackled robustly, defended with anticipation and brought the ball out calmly, building moves, not hurrying them like England.
Particularly inspired by Sánchez, who delivered a vibrant performance and two-goal haul to echo his compatriot Marcelo Salas here in 1998, Chile’s players all looked lifted by wearing their nation’s shirt, not weighed down by it.
Culled from The Telegraph.
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