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World Cup 2014: Your guide to Group B - Spain; Chile; Australia; Netherlands

The lowdown on the teams in Group B

Richard Holt
Friday 06 December 2013 18:28 GMT
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Cesc Fabregas hoists the World Cup aloft after Spain won the tournament in South Africa in 2010
Cesc Fabregas hoists the World Cup aloft after Spain won the tournament in South Africa in 2010

Fixtures (times BST):

June 13 Salvador, 2000: Spain v Holland

June 13 Cuiaba, 2300: Chile v Australia

June 18 Rio de Janeiro, 2300: Spain v Chile

June 18 Porto Alegre, 1700: Australia v Holland

June 23 Curitiba, 1700: Australia v Spain

June 23 Sao Paulo, 1700: Holland v Chile

Spain

How they qualified

Unbeaten winners of Uefa Group I

Key player

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) One of the greatest talents of this generation. Iniesta has been fundamental to the overwhelming success of his club and country. Now he’ll be looking to guide Spain into the history books once more.

Dangerman

Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona)- After previously operating in the false nine position for Spain, the performance of Fabregas could be vital in their hopes to regain the trophy next year

World Cup best

Winners - 2010

Premier League interest

Nacho Monreal, Santi Cazorla (both Arsenal), Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (both Chelsea), David Silva, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo (all Manchester City), Roberto Soldado (Tottenham), Michu (Swansea).

Most expensive

Fernando Torres, £50m from Liverpool to Chelsea, 2011

WORLD CUP 2014 INTERACTIVE GUIDE: The groups, fixtures, route to the final, venues and past winners

Chile

How they qualified

Third in Conmebol, finishing behind Argentina and Colombia.

Key player

Arturo Vidal (Juventus) The box-to-box Juventus player covers every blade of grass and will beat the heart of the Chile midfield

Dangerman

Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) His display against England in November epitomised the rise in performance level of late. The winger has scored 22 goals in 64 appearances so far for Chile.

World Cup best

Finished third in 1962.

Premier League interest

Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (previously of West Brom), David Pizzarro (previously of Manchester City), Jean Beausejour (played for Wigan during their time in the Premier League).

Most expensive

Alexis Sanchez - £31.2m (with add-ons) from Udinese to Barcelona, 2011

Australia

How they qualified

Runners up in the AFC Fourth Round, four points behind Japan.

Key player

Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls)- The pride of Australia. Cahill excelled in England and has continued this form in the MLS. Cahill has scored 29 goals for his country so far, the majority from midfield.

Dangerman

Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus)- Now plying his trade in the J-League, Kennedy has scored 58 goals for his current club and will no doubt be a key goal threat for the Socceroos.</b><br/>

World Cup best

Reached the last 16 in 2006, losing 1-0 to eventual runners-up Italy.</b><br/>

Premier League interest

Mark Schwarzer and Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak. Lucas Neill and Cahill will be familiar.</b><br/>

Most expensive

Mark Viduka - £6.5m, from Celtic to Leeds United, 2000

Netherlands

How they qualified

Winner of Uefa Group D, winning nine out of their 10 qualification matches.

Key player

Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) The winger appears to be playing better than ever under Pep Guardiola.

Dangerman

Robin van Persie (Manchester United) The striker has scored his 41st international goal recently to become the Netherlands’ all-time record scorer. The word clinical springs to mind.

World Cup best

Three-times runners up. Are they the best team to have never won the elite competition?

Premier League interest

Possibly 11 players - Michel Vorm, Tim Krul, Ron Vlaar, Leroy Fer, Robin van Persie, Maarten Stekelenburg, John Heitinga, Erik Pieters, Jonathan de Guzman, Marco van Ginkel, Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Most expensive

Marc Overmars - £25m, from Arsenal to Barcelona, 2000

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