Defending Champ Spain Knocked Out Of World Cup

By Stephanie Federico / NPR

Published June 18, 2014 at 11:38 AM PDT

This story was published more than 10 years ago.

Chile beat Spain, 2-0, in group play Wednesday, knocking the defending champs out of soccer's World Cup.

Both goals came in the first half: Eduardo Vargas scored in the 20th minute and Charles Aranguiz in the 44th.

Spain suffered a huge loss in its first game, falling 1-5 to the Netherlands on Friday. It was the worst defeat of a defending champion in World Cup history, according to CNN. Spain still faces Australia in group play Monday, but it is nearly impossible for the team to advance to the next round because of its two losses.

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Netherlands secured a spot in the next round by defeating Australia, 3-2, earlier Wednesday. The team faces Chile on Monday, finishing out play in Group B.

Spain beat the Netherlands, 1-0, in the World Cup final four years and were one of the favorites to win again this year.