Making their first appearance at the World Cup since 1998, Chile qualified comfortably from the South American section, scoring more goals away from home than anyone else in the process.

This was down to the attack-minded principles of coach Marcelo Bielsa, who played a very offensive formation – often with three upfront - throughout the qualifying campaign.

 

Spearheading the attack was Humberto Suazo, who scored 10 goals in the qualifiers, but arguably their most natural talent is tricky winger Alexis Sanchez.

First capped at just 17, Sanchez was quickly snapped up by Italian side Udinese. In a bid to gain more first team experience, he was sent out on loan to Colo Colo and River Plate, winning league titles at both, before returning to Serie A.

A positive thinking player with bags of pace, he constantly has defenders on the backfoot and works hard to support the frontman.

Spain are odds on to qualify as Group H winners, but second place is up for grabs with Chile’s clash against Switzerland likely to be decisive – and there will be an intriguing confrontation between Sanchez and his Udinese team-mate Gokhan Inler.