Spain grab late draw with Chile

Jesus Navas scored a last minute goal to give Spain a 2-2 draw with Chile in Geneva this evening.

Vicente Del Bosque rang the changes for the friendly in Switzerland, handing starts to Victor Valdes, Nacho Monreal, Javi Garcia, Santi Cazorla and Roberto Soldado.

And all those alterations seemed to mess with La Roja as they conceded after just five minutes. Mauricio Isla laid in Eduardo Vargas, who tapped in past Valdes after being played onside by Sergio Ramos.

The world champions were really struggling in the early stages, having very little possession and creating next to nothing in the way of chances. Pedro dragged an ambitious shot wide, but that was about as good as it got.

Ramos was lucky to get away with a late charge on Isla inside the area after 28 minutes, and Monreal was caught napping by Alexis Sanchez, only to recover well with a late challenge.

That poor defensive work was offset on 38 minutes though, when Soldado headed home a superb Pedro cross to level the scoreline.

It didn’t last long however, as Vargas rolled Raul Albiol on the edge of the area, before finishing past Valdes right on the stroke of half time.

After the break, Spain looked a lot more dangerous with two natural wingers on the pitch. Navas and Pedro were providing width and creativity, and it was the Barca man who crossed for Soldado, but Gary Medel was there to head clear the very real danger.

Jorge Sampaoli’s men almost put it beyond doubt though with 10 minutes left, only for Sanchez to plant a header wide from eight yards out.

The miss was to be rued however, as with the very last kick of the game, Navas poked in from close-range to give La Roja a draw.

Spain 2-2 Chile

Scorers: Soldado 38 (S), Navas 92 (S); Vargas 4, 44 (C)

Spain: Valdés (Reina 58), Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos (Nacho 58), Monreal, Javi García (Koke 78), Xavi (Navas 45), Cesc (Iniesta 45), Cazorla, Pedro, Soldado (Negredo 63)

Chile: Bravo, Isla, Medel, M. González, Mena, Vidal (Carmona 45), Díaz, Aránguiz (Silva 45), Alexis, Beausejour, Vargas

Tags Chile Spain
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