FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°19
Ivica Vastic struck a superb injury-time equaliser for Austria as Chile were robbed of victory for the second time in a week in the cruellest possible fashion. After comfortably dominating for most of the match, the Chileans had looked set to claim their first World Cup win since they hosted the tournament in 1962 when Marcelo Salas grabbed his third goal of France 98, 20 minutes from time.
But a lapse of concentration in the Chilean defence proved disastrous as Ivica, who had only been on the field for 15 minutes, was allowed to turn on the edge of the box and place the ball in the top corner with less than 20 seconds left to play. The blow was particularly hard to take for the Chileans after being denied victory over Italy in their first match by Roberto Baggio’s late and controversial penalty equaliser. ” It was exactly the same thing as happened against Italy, “ said Chilean coach Nelson Acosta. ” We are suffering. “
As more than 10,000 Chilean supporters streamed disconsolately out of the Stade Geoffrey Guichard, many of them with tears streaming down their faces, the Austrian contingent was left dancing jubilantly in celebration at their team’s lucky escape. Acosta also appeared close to tears after a result that leaves group D wide open. ” I really cannot understand what happened, “ he said. ” We completely dominated the match. We scored a magnificent goal and there were only seconds left. Ivica was left alone. He was allowed to turn, he shot and that was the end of it. “
Austrian coach Herbert Proaska denied his team had been fortunate. ” Over the 90 minutes it was quite balanced, “ he said.Midfielder Harald Cerny insisted: ” The timing of the goal may have been lucky but it was no miracle. “
As in the match against Italy, the Chileans were always ahead on points. But it was not until the 70th minute that their deadly ‘Za Sa’ forward partnership combined to deliver what should have been the knock-out blow. When it came, Salas’ goal was a virtual carbon copy of his first of the two he scored against Italy.
Ivan Zamorano rose magnificently above the Austrian defence to meet Jose Sierra’s free kick. The impressive Austrian goalkeeper Michael Konsel managed to parry his downward header but Salas was waiting to pounce and forced the ball over the line.
The Austrians, facing likely elimination after a 1-1 draw against Cameroon and a match against Italy to come, threw everyone forward in a bid to salvage something from the match. But in doing so they left gaps at the back and it took a superb save from Michael Konsel to prevent Zamarano opening his own World Cup account with a 25-yard drive three minutes from time after Sierra had put him through.
Despite being under pressure for most of the match, the Austrians had the best chance before Salas opened the scoring. Veteran striker Toni Polster, who otherwise failed to shine in his record-equallying 94th international appearance, wriggled free in the box seven minutes into the second half. His chip found Markus Schopp unmarked at the back post seven minutes but the midfielder failed to control the ball at the first attempt and had to watch it trickle into the arms of Nelson Tapia.
Chile had threatened to overrun the Austrians early in the match with Zamarano, Salas and Fabian Estay going past defenders almost at will. But with the final pass or cross failing to match the quality of their build-up, the Chileans failed to capitalise on their superiority and, as the first half whistle approached, it was the Austrians who looked more like scoring. A sweet half-volley on the turn from Mario Haas was blocked by Ronaldo Fuentes and Chilean keeper Nelson Tapia had to be alert to block Heimo Pfeifenberger’s cheeky attempt to squeeze the ball past him at the near post.