AS CHILE GUN DOWN THE WORLD CUP DEFENDING CHAMPIONS 'SPAIN' WITH A SUBLIME 2-0 WIN

The defending World Cup champions are out of the World Cup before the group stage is even over after going down 2-0 to a wonderful Chile side in the Maracana! meaning, they have no hope of progressing from Group B.
Vicente del Bosque had led Spain to glory at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 but, following his side's 5-1 humbling against Netherlands on Friday, a reaction was required to avert a group-stage exit.
They had produced such a reaction four years ago when bouncing back from a defeat in their opener to Switzerland, but La Furia Roja appeared for the most part to be a pale imitation of their 2010 vintage.

 

On 20 minutes, Chile broke the deadlock, carving the Spain defence open as Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez and Charles Aranguiz combined before setting up Eduardo Vargas to skip around Iker Casillas and finish.
Just before half-time, Spain's fate worsened as Casillas failed to deal with a Sanchez free kick, allowing Aranguiz to poke home a second.
Spain injected more urgency into their game at the start of the second half, and Sergio Busquets spurned a golden opportunity to bring his side back into the game, but they could never exercise the kind of control that had been the hallmark of their success in recent years.
Spain enjoyed a series of chances in the dying minutes but could not find a way past Claudio Bravo.
Spain and Australia have both failed to register a point from their opening two fixtures and have no chance of progress. Chile and Netherlands will meet in Sao Paulo on Monday to determine who will advance as group winners.

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AS NETHERLANDS CONTINUE THEIR WORLD CUP PERFECT RUN

Netherlands have maintained their perfect start at the World Cup after edging out Australia 3-2 in a pulsating encounter.

Louis van Gaal's side were in high spirits after beginning their tournament by demolishing Spain 5-1 but Australia, defeated 3-1 in their opener against Chile, took the game to their opponents from the off.
The Socceroos' high-tempo approach looked to be paying dividends until, with 20 minutes on the clock, the in-form Arjen Robben broke free around the halfway line and raced clear before slotting home the opener.
The advantage lasted barely a minute, though, as Tim Cahill cannoned a stunning volley in off the underside of the crossbar to bring the Socceroos level.
Early in the second half, Australia's position improved when Oliver Bozanic, freshly introduced from the bench, clipped in a cross that struck Daryl Janmaat's hand. The referee deemed the Dutchman guilty of handball and pointed to the spot, and Mile Jedinak confidently converted.
Once more, though, the advantage did not last: Robin van Persie -- who, like Cahill, will miss his side's final group game after collecting a booking -- smashed in an equaliser before the Australians had had a chance to settle.
Australia might have restored their advantage when Tommy Oar had a clear sight of goal, but he opted to cross for Mathew Leckie, whose improvised effort with his chest was easily collected by goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
The Dutch duly advanced upfield and Memphis Depay, a replacement for the injured Bruno Martins Indi, unleashed a long-range shot that caught Socceroos goalkeeper Maty Ryan off guard and found its way into the net.

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Ronaldo left training with ice on his knee

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo left the team's practice early with an ice pack on his knee, according to a Reuters report.
Trainers applied ice to Ronaldo's troublesome knee and he watched the final portion of the training session from the bench, according to Portuguese sports daily Record.
Ronaldo has been bothered by several leg complaints throughout his latest club season, in which he led Real Madrid to their record 10th UEFA Champions League title.
He played in the final against crosstown rivals Atlético Madrid -- scoring a penalty late into extra time --then rested in a bid to be ready for the World Cup.
He made his return to the field just under two weeks ago in a friendly win over Ireland, saying he was close to 100 percent fit and then went the full 90 minutes against Germany in Portugal's 4-0 loss  to open Group G play.
Ronaldo has frequently left training early to ice his knee over the past several weeks. The Portuguese federation has not commented.
Portugal face the United States in Group G play on Sunday at 6 ET.

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