Chile’s reaction

After a frustrating first half, Chile came out of the dressing rooms with a completely different plan to what most have come to expect from them.

For the first time in recent memory, they cast aside their preference of playing out in favour of avoiding Australia’s successful pressing. This direct and effective manoeuvre was enabled by a change of formation in possession, with left-back Mena pushing up to act as the fourth player on Chile’s most advanced line, alongside Sanchez, Vargas and Rodriguez, who had come on for Fuenzalida at the interval.

Mena’s vertical movement allowed a change in shape, enabling effective direct football

As a by-product of this change, Mat Leckie was forced into covering his run, and becoming a right-back to form a back four. This led to the eventual unbalance of Australia’s press, allowing Arturo Vidal to move into the space vacated by Mena and create a 2v1 situation with the ball-carrying Jara against the now central Robbie Kruse.

This numerical superiority, a return to Chile’s more proactive approach, caused problems for the Socceroos later in the second half, and contributed to the swing in momentum within the same time period.

2v1 situation on the left for Chile, after Mena has vacated his position

Conclusion

One of the greatest performances in the Postecoglou era unfortunately did not yield any concrete results for the Socceroos, but will undoubtedly be a confidence boost coming into crucial fixtures against Japan and Thailand, where Australia will look to ensure their place in Russia this time next year.

Chile survived a scare and where at one point one goal away from being eliminated, and were perhaps consider themselves lucky that Australia were unable to take the multitude of quality chances that came their way.

A semi-final against European champions Portugal awaits La Roja, who will be hopeful of a place in the subsequent final.  

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Chile