Cards On The Table: Switzerland 0-1 Chile 21/6/10

Switzerland line-up: Benaglio, Lichsteiner, Von Bergen, Huggel, Inler, Frei (c) (Barnetta, 42'), Nkufo (Derdiyok, 68'), Behrami, Grichting, Fernandes (Bunjaku, 77'), Ziegler
Chile line-up: Bravo (c), Ponce, Isla, Carmona, Sanchez, Vidal (Valdivia, HT), Suazo (Gonzalez, HT), Beausejour, Medel, Jara

So far this World Cup the quality of referees has been very good with only few contentious decisions. However this game was very much hampered by the whistle happy Saudi Arabian referee, Khalil Al Ghamdi, who produced nine yellow cards and a red card. The tone set within the first minute of the match when Suazo got booked for a late lunge. The first was very much stop start as the whistle just kept blowing, this suited Switzerland better as it prevented the free-flowing Chile team to flow. However Chile were crating decent chances for themselves and Benaglio pulled two great parrying save to keep scores level. Switzerland were also creating half-chances most notably for Nkufo who just couldn't find a goal. This was until Behrami became the first Swiss player ever to be sent off in a World Cup just after the half-hour mark, with a Kaka-esque flailing arm. For me I don't think it was a red, yellow yes, and it didn't help when the Chilean player rolled around like the Sniper has just got him. What also upset me as Keita did yesterday is the fact he went down clutching his face when Behrami clearly didn't touch his face, only throat. After that Switzerland parked the proverbial bus and made sure Chile were not going to breach their defence, although Chile did find some holes but their final ball kept letting them down.

Chile put price to their man-advantage by bringing on two attacking options at half-time, this seemed to work to immediate effect when Sanchez put the ball in the net from distance. However it was ruled out, correctly, for offside as the culprit was in Benaglio's way and therefore interfering with play. The second half was a little less stop start as the first, especially when both sides tired towards the end. Credit to Switzerland as they managed to break a world record of minutes in a World Cup without conceding which dates back to 1994. Soon after making the record Switzerland were to concede via a great cross by Paredes which was met by former Liverpool player Mark Gonzalez, one of the half-time substitutes. As Switzerland were forced to come and look for the equaliser, Chile had a few chances to put the game to bed. But just like against Honduras their finishing was very poor and that may create problems against Spain and if they progress. Switzerland did have one great chance to equalise right at the death but Derdiyok placed his shot wide when he really should have scored. Chile will be guaranteed Last 16 action with just a point against Spain but Switzerland must win against Honduras to put Spain under even more pressure who need to beat Honduras tonight.