Spain vs. Chile World Cup instant analysis

Spain needs to beat Chile to be certain of qualifying for the next round, though a draw could suffice if Switzerland was held to a draw by Honduras. If Switzerland is beaten without scoring, Spain will go through anyway, but in second, which sets up a likely encounter with Brazil. Oh it all sounds very complicated, doesn't it? The bottom line is Spain could do with the win, to avoid Brazil and to reassert its potential for the trophy -- which took a bit of a pounding after defeat to Switzerland and wasn't entirely recovered by victory over Honduras. And let's not forget Chile in all this -- it has, after all, played the way Spain wishes it had. It now tops the group and a point would keep it there.

Kick-off is at 2.30 p.m. ET, so I'll be here from about 2.15 p.m. with team news and whatnot. Join me online and send your thoughts, soccer or non-soccer, to georgina.turner.si@gmail.com.