http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=914619Player Ratings: Chile 1-0 Argentina
It was a well deserved victory after a perfect all-round performance from Chile, who did not put a foot wrong against an off-colour Argentine side. Goal.com rates the performers on the pitch.
CHILE
Bravo – 6: Did not have a real save to make all match long. Credit has to be given for marshalling his defenders well from the back.
Medel – 7.5: Made that clever overlapping run to set up the winnig goal. Formed a perfect, impenetrable fortress at the back with Ponce and Contreras.
Ponce – 7: Kept Milito at bay and did not look nervous when he had to face the trickery of Messi or the strength of Agüero.
Contreras – 7.5: Did not allow Leo or Kun to bully him. Solid as a rock and precise as a clock with his tackling, marking and positioning.Carmona – 7: Bombarded the Argentine goal mouth endlessly with his accurate crossing and long-range passing.
Estrada – 7.5: Extremely hardworking. Ran tirelessly all over the pitch to hassle the Argentines off the ball.
Matí Fernández – 8: Always there to lead the Chilean attack and caused the Argentine backline endless grief with his runs on and off the ball.
Beausejour – 7: Made a very bright start and came close to open the scoring. Tailed off slightly as the game progressed but still kept running and running to help out in defence even in the 90th minute.
Orellana (pic) – 8.5: He will remember his very first goal for his country for a long time to come. Left the Argentine backline huffing and puffing with his speed and trickery on the ball. Involved in almost every meaningful attack.
Mark González – N/A: Only had a couple of touches of the ball before the horrendous collision with Burdisso forced him out of the game.
Suazo – 6.5: Held the ball up well when needed. Had numerous excellent chances to score but poor finishing let him down.
Substitutes:
Drougett – 7.5: Brought on to replace Mark González and slipped into the role effortlessly.
Martínez – 6: He did his job, which was to shore up Chile’s tiring defence.
Vidal – 5: Gave away a dangerous freekick immediately after coming on. Fortunately for him, nothing came off it.
ARGENTINA
Carrizo – 7: Made a few telling saves to prevent an even bigger embarrassment. Could not have done anything to prevent the winning goal.
Zanetti – 6: Struggled to keep up with Beausejour. Over-committed himself in attack in the closing stages and left the backline completely exposed and almost allowed Chile to snatch a few late goals.
Burdisso – N/A: Wasn’t called that much into action before his withdrawal from a nasty injury.
Demichelis – 6.5: Failed to pick out Orellana inside the box for the winning strike. Other than that, he was able to put himself in all the right places to make vital challenges and interceptions. Came very close to a late equalizer.
Heinze – 5: Allowed Medel to steam down his flank to tee-up the goal. Had a torrid evening trying to shackle Orellana.
Mascherano – 6: Had a few intriguing battles with Matí Fernández but came out second best most of the time. Like the rest of his teammates, lacked his usual spark and sprite.
Ledesma – 5: His attempts at Riquelme-esque passing failed miserably. Completely anonymous.
Cambiasso – 4: A lifeless display. Left gapping holes everywhere in midfield, especially along the left channel of the pitch. His passing was horrendous and had no attacking input whatsoever.
Messi – 6.5: Played virtually as a midfielder and had to spend too much of his time running forward from deep. Showed a few quick flashes of brilliance but looked tired and jaded by the second period.
Milito – 3: Could not get his frequency tuned in to Messi and Agüero’s range. Constantly mistimed his runs or drifted out of position. Rightfully taken off at the break.
Agüero – 7: The busiest of the three forwards but never had any support when he needed it. Had to run around feverishly from flank to flank trying to create spaces and chances for himself.
Substitutes:
Cata Díaz – 6.5: Made an absolutely critical interception by cutting across to Suazo to prevent the second goal late in the first half. Very alert and attentive at the back.
Bergessio – 5: Wasn’t any better than Milito but at least he was able to combine cohesively with his fellow forwards.
Sand – N/A: Did not have enough time to make any sort of impact. At least he managed to get a shot on target
Topic: Pablo Contreras (Read 97311 times)