Sampaoli lauds red hot Chile

Jun 19, 2014 - 12:27 AM Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli has lauded his side after they dumped reigning champions Spain out of the World Cup to motor into the last 16 on the back of a deserved 2-0 triumph in Rio.

Spain came in on the ropes after suffering a 5-1 battering by the Netherlands and Chile delivered the knockout punch in some style to ensure they and the Dutch will compete in the next phase.

"I am proud of the way Chile put out world champions," said Sampaoli. "It was a great win over great rivals.

"Against the Dutch we must now make a similar effort and hit these heights again - we want to finish first in the group," added the Argentinian-born coach, who knows his side are likely to clash with hosts Brazil in the next round should they come second and the Brazilians top their opening pool.

"I don't know if this is our best ever victory, as for me the best victory is always the next one. But I think it's unlikely I shall ever forget this win," he told reporters as he savoured a success adding to an opening 3-1 in over Australia.

"We showed great courage with the way we played and so you can say we are the rebels of this event," said the 54-year-old.

Sampaoli, who took the reins of the Chileans in 2012, said it was too early to say if his charges can go all the way at the finals.

"I am not thinking about Chile as world champions. There are many good teams here and we shall see."

But he added the dedication his players have shown to the cause augured well.

Although Eduardo Vargas was voted man of the match, Sampaoli praised midfielder Arturo Vidal for his display having just returned from a knee surgery he underwent last month.

"Vidal had some problems with his leg these past days and gave a very intensive performance and that's difficult to do when you are constantly in pain."

Vargas struck on 20 minutes and Charles Aranguiz added the coup de grace for the Chileans as Spain's stars went home with their tails between their legs.

Sampaoli had guided his side through a strong second half of the Latin American qualifying campaign after replacing Claudio Borghi at the end of 2012.

But he insisted that in Brazil, his team have looked better than ever.

"Today, we played with a system and an idea. The players believe in the idea and they defend it."

Source: AAP