England 0-2 Chile: Match Report

It was a special night as Frank Lampard collected his 100th cap (which he earned against the Ukraine a couple of months ago), he was accompanied by his two daughters to collect the prestigious gold cap on a night where he led his team out as captain.

England started the first half brighter than a very strong Chile side who were only missing Vidal from their starting line-up. Milner flashes a cross in early that was scrambled away, moments after a Phil Jones header was spectacularly saved by Chile keeper Bravo. Wigan Athletics Jean Beausejour had a shot parried away by Forster after England were sloppy with possession in their own half.

However England found themselves behind in the 7th minute as Alexis Sanchez powered home a header after getting in front of Baines at the back post. Fraser Forster making his England debut could do nothing as the ball flew past him before he had any time to react. England were flat and  the fast breaking South Americans exposed a make-shift defense that compromised of Cahill, Jones, Baines and Glen Johnson.

Lampard had a free kick tipped over before Wilshere saw his powerful drive pushed away. England did start to dominate as the first half wore on with Adam Lallana causing problems with his nifty week and work rate. Lallana who was playing on the right hand side of an attacking front three was more willing to track back than his Southampton counterpart Jay Rodriguez on the left, meaning Baines was often exposed.

Chile showed why they had not been defeated in a year with short, accurate passing and it was Beausejour again who had a chance to put the South American's 2-0, but Forster manages to stand him up and Sanchez's shot was deflected away. Jones came close to equalising with a flick that flashed past the post from a Leighton Baines corner.

Just before the half time whistle, England put their best attack together, as a perfect ball from Wilshere played Rooney into a great position, Rooney unselfishly laid it into Adam Lallana's path and his shot was deflected just wide.

The 2nd half started in a similar fashion to how the first half ended, with Chile enjoying a lot of possession, with neat passing without really creating a ton of chances. England were sloppy in possession, which was most evident by them giving the ball away twice from short corner situations.

Phil Jones, who experienced a frustrating night, was replaced by Chris Smalling just before the hour mark with Andros Townsend also replacing Jay Rodriguez, who's first foray into international football was an underwhelming one. Wilshere won a freekick on the edge of the area, but the Baines attempt was deflected away.

The 2nd half just whittled away, with no notable chance or incidents occurring. Chile maintained possession for long periods of the game and you could be forgiven for either dozing off or flicking the channel to the Portugal/Sweeden or Ukraine/France game. I think the mood was summed up when I head boos ring out when the stadium announced there would be 5 added minutes of injury time.

Cahill needlessly gave the ball away in stoppage time and Sanchez raced through to lift the ball effortlessly past Fraser Forster! It was a fitting end to a game that reminded me why we are not favourites or even in contention to win the World Cup next year in Brazil.

If you watched the game from start to finish, please award yourself with 5 English loyalty points!

England will take a lot from the defeat, Chile represent a different style of football and the South American style is hard to deal with for many European teams as you need to maintain your shape and discipline for long periods without the football. Nobody ever likes to lose a game but England managed to give important game time to the likes of Ross Barkley, Andros Townsend, Chris Smalling, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson etc.

I expect to see a very different side when England face Germany on Tuesday.