Chile tops Swiss to sit alone atop Group H

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - Chile broke through the formerly impenetrable Swiss defense, and Mark Gonzalez's goal got the South Americans a step closer to getting into the second round of the World Cup.

Gonzalez, a substitute, scored on a header in the 75th minute yesterday as Chile beat 10-man Switzerland, 1-0.

Before Chile scored, Switzerland set a World Cup record in the 69th minute by going 551 minutes without allowing a goal, breaking the mark of 550 held by Italy at the 1986 and 1990 tournaments.

The previous goal the Swiss allowed came July 2, 1994, when they were eliminated. 3-0, by Spain in the second round.

Chile has won both its games in Group H and sits atop the standings with six points.

"This is for my family and for all the people who have supported us in Chile," Gonzalez said. "This was a great moment for me and for our team."

Gonzalez headed home a pass from fellow sub Esteban Paredes, who had gotten around the staunch Swiss defense and crossed to Gonzalez at the back post. Gonzalez's downward header beat goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

"We are in a good position, and we have one more game to prove ourselves even more," Gonzalez said of Friday's match against Spain in Pretoria.

Switzerland played a man down after midfielder Valone Behrami was sent off with a straight red card in the 31st minute for rough play against Arturo Vidal. That ejection irked the Swiss.

"For me, it was just an unbelievable decision," Behrami said. "There was small contact with my hands on his neck, and he went down like [he was hit with] an elbow. Everyone can make a mistake, but this mistake was very, very big for me because it's a dream to play in a World Cup."

Even Vidal said he was surprised by the red card.

"I felt his elbow on my neck," Vidal said. "It was a definite yellow card, but I wasn't expecting a send-off."

Swiss sub Eren Derdiyok nearly tied the score in the 90th minute but drove his shot wide from in front of the net as Switzerland put on late pressure.

Chile had all the first-half pressure even before Behrami's ejection. Alexis Sanchez appeared to give Chile the lead in the 49th minute, but was clearly offside.