World Cup 2014 Team Guide: Chile

Vidal: loved by fans of both club and country

Chile qualified for Brazil by winning five of their last six qualifiers, and if they can field a full strength side and keep their discipline then they can reach the quarter-finals at least says Louis Massarella...

Road to Brazil

A third-place finish suggests Chile qualified fairly comfortably from the South American zone, but it took five wins and a draw from their last six games to secure an automatic spot. Before that, a lack of stability in defence and the dugout threatened to rob their world-class attacking talents of a chance to showcase their skills.

The Manager

Jorge Sampaoli rescued Chile's qualifying campaign after a disastrous run of results under his predecessor Claudio Borghi. Like his fellow Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, who led Chile to the last 16 in South Africa, Sampaoli favours a high pressing game, lightning attacks, and sneaky fouls to stop the opposition getting into their stride.

Sampaoli is one of few coaches at the tournament who will use three at the back, an approach that can lurch from devastating to suicidal, as a modest goal difference of +4 in qualifying suggests. His team will certainly be good to watch, though.

Key men

While Luis Suarez's knee surgery made most of the headlines, Arturo Vidal underwent a similar procedure at the beginning of May, and the all-action Juventus midfielder is arguably just as important to his country's cause.

Along with Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas - who impressed at Valencia on loan from Napoli towards the end of the season - he will provide Chile's main attacking threat, if fit. The trio shared 14 goals in qualifying.

Look out too for Cardiff City midfielder Gary Medel, who plays in defence for Chile - an indication of the team's attacking approach.

Talking Point

Can Chile keep their discipline? A high-energy pressing game can often turn into a frantic foul fest, and suspensions almost cost them dear in qualifying, with Vidal and Medel among those to see red. If Chile could keep their heads as well they keep possession, they'd be potential quarter-finalists or better.

Best Bet

Given their poor discipline performances in qualifying, Chile look good at 17.016/1 to receive the Most Cards at the tournament.

Value Bet

Odds of 5.04/1 to finish as Group B Winner ahead of Spain and Netherlands? By no means out of the question.

Did You Know?

Chile have never scored more than one goal in their last seven World Cup finals games. The last time they scored more than once was against Italy in 1998.