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World Cup 2010: Swiss timing is a little out
SWITZERLAND set a new World Cup record for most minutes without conceding a goal – then immediately allowed Mark Gonzalez to secure Chile a perfect start to Group H.
After West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami was red-carded for violent conduct, Switzerland beat Italy’s 550 minutes, established in the 1986 and 1990 finals, by nine minutes.
But, with 15 minutes to go, former Liverpool winger Gonzalez – born and raised in South Africa – secured the points in Port Elizabeth.
Gonzalez’s header from a cross by substitute Esteban Paredes meant Chile had won two World Cup group matches for the first time since 1962 to home in on a place in the last 16.
Gonzalez, now at CSKA Moscow, said: “This is fantastic. We prepared hard and I was lucky enough to get the goal, so what could be better?
“We had to be patient but now we can pretty much dream of the last 16.”
Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said: “We have to make sure we get three points against Honduras.”