Spain lead 10-man Chile 2-0 at half-time

David Villa took advantage of a blunder by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and also set up a goal by Andres Iniesta to give Spain a 2-0 half-time lead over 10-man Chile in Friday’s crucial World Cup match.

Reigning European champions Spain, seeking a win over the South American side to seal a spot in the knockout rounds, were ahead in the 24th minute when Villa scored his third goal of the tournament.

Xabi Alonso launched a long pass upfield to onrushing Fernando Torres with Bravo racing off his line to reach the ball first.

But the ball fell into the path of Villa and the new Barcelona striker chipped it back from 40 yards into the open goal as Chile captain Bravo looked on in horror.

In the 37th minute, Villa set up Iniesta and the Barcelona playmaker scored from just inside the area.

Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez sent off Chile midfielder Marco Estrada seconds after the goal, having seen him trip Torres.

The Spanish are trying to avoid crashing out from the group stages having lost their opener to Switzerland.

The Chileans lead Group H with six points from two wins while Spain and Switzerland each have three points with goalless Honduras on zero.

Rodriguez made three other bookings against Chile in the first 21 minutes, ensuring defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce will not play in the next match for Chile if they do advance.

The Group H winner will face Portugal on Tuesday in a round-of-16 match at Cape Town while the runner-up will meet Brazil on Monday at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.