Rio de Janeiro: Chileans don’t have fond memories of the Maracana, the venue of their country’s famous win over defending champions Spain on Wednesday. During a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Brazil at the Maracana in 1989, Chilean goalkeeper Roberto Rojas cut his own head with a razor hidden in his glove only to pretend that he had been hit by a flare launched from the crowd.
Citing the plight of the bleeding Rojas, Chile refused to continue hoping that the match would be awarded to them as a result of crowd trouble. The entire Chilean team knew the plot of the drama. But a video footage cooked their goose and Fifa’s punishment was swift and severe. The world body banned Rojas for life and Chile from two World Cups.
Chile’s win over Spain at the Maracana on Wednesday involved drama in the positive sense.
It was a red letter day for the fans of the South American country who had painted the legendary stadium in the same hue. c
Chilean supporters had outnumbered their Spanish counterparts probably by 100:1. The noise they dished out was incredibly high. Singing never stopped throughout the match and it reached a crescendo after the final whistle.
Renato, an architect from Chile’s capital Santiago, said a country that suffers frequent earthquakes has caused the biggest shock of the tournament.
“I can forget the Rojas incident now. We are proud of our team. It’s only a start. The current bunch is the best we have had in a long time. Quite a few players from our team turn out for top clubs in Europe.
“Sky is the limit for our ambitions. We don’t fear anyone in the competition,” he said.
Gonzales, a Chilean living in Rio, came to watch the historic match despite having an exam the next day.
“I’m so happy now that I don’t regret missing out on last-minute exam preparations. To be on the safer side, I came to the match with my teacher,” he said, laughing.
His teacher grinned from ear to ear before adding “the celebrations have just started. They will go on throughout the night.”
