Given their size and tradition, Brazil and Argentina are always expected to roll out a production line of talent. The story with the other South American nations tends to follow a different pattern – one generation and out.
Peru are still struggling to replace their Cubillas-inspred generation of the 1970s. Colombia have only recently replaced the Valderrama gang of the late 80s and early 90s. Bolivia have never come close to replacing the Echeverry group from the same period.
Soon it will be Chile’s turn. An era is coming to an end. The best case scenario is that the curtain will come down during the next World Cup. But it is at least as possible that the book will reach its final chapter in the next few days.
Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel and others have formed - by some distance - the best generation in their country’s history. They came up together through the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, and then had the good fortune to work under Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, who gave the Chilean national team something it had always lacked – an identity. Bielsa’s high press, high tempo, attacking football proved an excellent fit. Chile traditionally lack defensive height but have plenty of quick players down the flanks. So there was obvious appeal in the idea of defending far from goal and seeking to create two-against-one situations in wide areas.
In 2010 Chile reached the second round of the World Cup – their best ever performance with the exception of 1962, which they hosted. They also made plenty of friends with their refreshingly bold approach. Four years later, now under the Bielsa disciple Jorge Sampaoli, they fell at the same stage but performed even better.
And then, at long last, came the silverware. After 99 years of trying they finally won the Copa America in 2015. And if home advantage might have helped, they proved it was no fluke the following year by winning an extra, centenary Copa staged in the USA, this time under Juan Antonio Pizzi, yet another Argentine coach.
Going into the Russia 2018 qualification campaign it was clear that a golden era was coming to a close. The same group of players were building towards their third World Cup. They would not be around for a fourth. And there is no sign of an emerging generation capable of replacing them. Russia 2018, then, looked like being a Chilean swansong.
And it all started so well. In the opening round they beat Brazil 2-0 – a result of enormous significance to them. During the course of the previous few years they had emerged victorious against all the other teams on the continent. But Brazil, with their proficiency on the counter-attack, had always proved the wall that was too high to climb. It was Brazil who ended Chile’s World Cup campaigns of 2010 and 2014. Overcoming them put an extra ribbon on those trophies.
But, in next week’s final round of the campaign, the teams meet in very different circumstances. Brazil have long been home and dry, booking their spot in Russia with four rounds to spare. Chile, meanwhile, are scratching desperately for points. And it could easily have been even worse.
In September last year they were held 0-0 by Bolivia – who were later penalised for fielding an ineligible player, a centre-back who came on for the last few minutes. The game was awarded 3-0 to Chile. Without those two extra points (and the three extra goals) then Chile’s plight would be desperate indeed. It would make a win in Sao Paulo next Tuesday a necessity – and Brazil, who have never lost a World Cup qualifier on home soil, will be looking to end the campaign on a high in front of their own fans.
As it stands Chile may well need a draw, and will almost certainly need to win if they fail to beat Ecuador in Santiago this Thursday – a game for which Alexis Sanchez is suspended.
So what has gone wrong over the past two years? The easy answer – and not as flippant as it seems – is that two years have gone by. This is an ageing team, and one which has had precious little rest and relaxation. The 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa America, 2016 Copa Centenario, 2017 Confederations Cup – year after year without a complete break.
This clearly takes its toll on a team whose game plan is dependent on constant movement and unrelenting intensity. Theirs is a high-risk style, leaving them open to the opposing counter attack. And the goals have dried up – just four in six games in their run to the Confederations Cup, when the only victory came in the opening fixture against a weak Cameroon. And no goals in last month’s two World Cup qualifiers. Chile have not found the net in the last four games and 25 minutes.
Perhaps they have been saving them up for the final two rounds. There have been plenty of signs of mental fatigue as well, with Vidal and Sanchez both showing dissatisfaction at the level of criticism the team are facing from their own press and public. The end is in sight, and we will soon know if it is coming next year or next week.
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