2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014_neutral

Confederation analysis 85
of the tournament. With a game based on
high pressing, quick transitions and rapid
counter-attacks, the Chileans saw off Australia
and Spain to secure their place in the last 16,
where they once again impressed against
Brazil before bowing out on penalties after
coming so close to claiming a last-gasp win
by hitting the bar shortly before the end of
extra time. Colombia also breezed through
the group stage with a flawless record of
nine points from a possible nine. Uruguay
were also unable to stop the Colombians in
the round of 16, but their run came to an
end in their quarter-final clash with Brazil,
although the Colombians certainly held
their own. Drawn into a group with Italy,
England and Costa Rica, Uruguay found
themselves under some early pressure after
losing their opener to the CONCACAF side,
but they recovered to secure back-to-back
victories over the two European teams.
Suárez’s suspension left them up against
it in the round of 16, however, and they
were outplayed by Colombia after failing
to find their group-stage form. A goal at
the death from Switzerland saw Ecuador
fall to an opening 2-1 defeat, and although
they defeated Honduras in their second
game, a goalless draw with France saw the
Ecuadorians eliminated. Argentina got off to
a rather slow start, but three victories on the
back of some outstanding performances from
the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, Lionel
Messi, saw them claim maximum points. The