Chile vs Australia Preview: FIFA World Cup 2014 Football

By Jim Gardner, Christian Post Contributor Friday, June 13, 2014

Chile will take on Australia in the third of three games taking place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil on Friday. This will be a vitally important match for both teams; with Holland and Spain also in Group B, this is the so-called "easier" game for both of these teams, which makes it a must-win for both if they have realistic ambitions to get a top two place and qualify for the knock out stages. Today's game starts at 6 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on ESPN 2.

Chile will be looking to Alexis Sanchez as one of their main players to drive them to the win today. He did fantastically well at Barcelona this season, and most expect his speed and ball skills to cause significant problems to defenses at the World Cup this year.

Australia will hope that Jason Davidson has what it takes to keep him quiet, but they must know that any slight lapses in concentration or judgment from Davidson and Sanchez will jump on it. Davidson is more well-known for driving forward and instigating attacks than his defensive prowess, so he has been highlighted as one player who could have trouble dealing with Sanchez today.

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These two teams have played one another on four previous occasions, with Chile winning three times, and there being just one draw between the pair. Australia have never defeated Chile, however, their first ever point in a World Cup group game came against Chile, when they drew 0-0 in 1974.

Moreover, Australia have only ever kept one clean sheet in their 10 World Cup football games so far, and that clean sheet came against Chile.

Chile will believe they can improve on their recent World Cup form this season. They have only won two of their 17 World Cup games since 1962 tournament, drawing six, and losing nine.

Today's big Group B game between Chile and Australia will kick off at 6 p.m. ET and can be watched TV on the ESPN 2 network.

Chile vs Australia 2-1- Jorge Valdivia Goal-World Cup 2014