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Gonzalez aware of Spain threat

Image: Gonzalez: Relishing Spain challenge

Mark Gonzalez believes Chile are about to face the most dangerous team in the tournament when they meet Spain.

Chile goal hero won't underestimate European champions

Chilean midfielder Mark Gonzalez believes his side are about to face the most dangerous team in the tournament when they meet Spain in their Group H decider. The 25-year-old scored his side's winner in their 1-0 victory over Switzerland on Monday to put them in with a strong chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the tournament, but face a rejuvenated Spain, who need to win to assure progression, in their final match. The European champions appeared to be back on form in their 2-0 win over Honduras, with David Villa striking twice to draw them level on points with Switzerland, who shocked the world by beating Spain 1-0 in the group opener. Chile need just a point from their final game to be certain of topping the group, and thus avoid a likely tie against Group G front runners Brazil to instead face Portugal or the Ivory Coast in round two, but Gonzalez insisted that the Spanish were not to be underestimated.

Surprised

"The fact that we've all been surprised by their results in these first two matches, that doesn't mean that they're not the same Spain as before," he said. "They're the most dangerous side in the World Cup. "They're the same players. We all know perfectly well the quality and the individuals that they have, and they're perfectly capable of making things difficult for us. "I think this match is going to be something special, because they have to give it their all and we have the option of either winning or drawing. "It's going to be a different kind of game. They're going to have to come out and attack and logically we'll try to impose our style of play." The former Liverpool winger, who was originally born in Durban, was delighted to score his side's winner in his country of birth, describing the goal as the 'the best moment of my life'. "My siblings, my father, my cousins, my family, they were all in the stadium, so I'm happy," he added. "It was the most important moment of my career, so knowing that I had my family here supporting me."

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