Day 11 World Cup action round-up - Portugal rampant while Spain and Chile also victorious
Day 11 of the World Cup 2010 saw the biggest win of the tournament take place when Portugal demolished Korea DPR 7-0, seemingly on their way to the second round. In Group H, Chile recorded a crucial win over 10-man Switzerland while Spain cruised to a comfortable success over Honduras that keeps their tournament hopes alive after an opening game defeat.
 PORTUGAL 7
Meireles 29, Simao 53, Almeida 59, Tiago 60, 89, Liedson 81, Ronaldo 87
 NORTH KOREA 0
Portugal’s seven-goal demolition of North Korea all but secures them a place in the last 16 alongside Brazil with their goal difference now massively superior to that of Ivory Coast. The game began brightly as North Korea adopted more positive tactics to the ones used to frustrate Brazil and had their chances to open the scoring early on. But it was Portugal who took the lead after 29 minutes when Raul Meireles broke into the box before calmly slotting home past goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk.
After the half time-interval, Portugal began to carve their opponents open on the break and three goals in seven minutes from Simao, Hugo Almeida and Tiago put the three points beyond any doubt. They didn’t stop at four though, Liedson and Cristiano Ronaldo successfully getting on the scoresheet before Tiago wrapped up the scoring with his second of the match. Their plus seven goal difference means in all likelihood, even defeat to Brazil would see them progress to the last 16.
 CHILE 1
Gonzalez 75
 SWITZERLAND 0
Chile narrowly defeated 10-man Switzerland 1-0 in Port Elizabeth, with the South American outfit moving to the top of Group H. The opening exchanges saw both sides struggle to gain the upper hand with goal scoring opportunities few and far between. Chile were then handed a significant advantage when Switzerland midfielder Valeron Behrami was given a straight red card by referee Khali Al Ghamdi when his raised arm appeared to catch Arturo Vidal in the face. From then on, Chile dominated proceedings and were unfortunate not to be ahead on 49 minutes when an Alexis Sanchez shot from the edge of the area deflected past Swiss goalkeeper Diego Bengalio. The referee and his officials however deemed Jorge Valdivia was interfering from an offside position and the goal was chalked off.
The breakthrough came with just quarter of an hour left when Estaban Paredes rounded the goalkeeper before crossing for substitute Mark Gonzalez to head into the empty net. Despite some nervy moments in the closing stages, Chile held on for a narrow victory which sees them open up a three point cushion over both Spain and Switzerland at the top of group H.
 SPAIN 2
Villa 17, 51
 HONDURAS 0
A David Villa brace helped Spain record their first three points of the tournament, defeating Honduras in Johannesburg. Head Coach Vicente Del Bosque made three changes to the side beaten by Switzerland, the most notable inclusion being Fernando Torres, who partnered Villa upfront. As expected, The European champions began on the front foot and Villa was unlucky not to open his account after seven minutes when a long range strike cannoned back of the crossbar. He didn’t have to wait long before putting his side ahead though, when a superb solo run was capped with a composed finish to give Spain the lead on 17 minutes.
Torres was proving to be a persistent threat and had a number of chances to put Spain further ahead but was understandably rusty in front of goal. As Honduras chased the game, Spain capitalized six minutes into the second half when Jesus Navas broke down the right before pulling it back to Villa whose shot took a slight deflection and looped over Noel Valladares, doubling their advantage. Villa could have recorded the second hat-trick of the tournament but ironically missed from the penalty spot as Spain secured the three points to set up a crucial encounter with Chile.
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