Chile and 10-man Switzerland goalless at half-time

Chile and Switzerland were goalless at half-time in their World Cup Group H tie here on Monday with the Swiss down a man after Valon Behrami was sent off.

The West Ham midfielder was given his marching orders by Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi for a tangle with Arturo Vidal after he appeared to elbow the Bayer Leverkusen player in the face on the half hour mark.

The South Americans, who had impressed with their attacking passion in their opening 1-0 win over Honduras, had the first shot on target when Italy-based Carlos Carmona fired in from 20m, the ball safely scooped up by Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio.

Carmona then ensured he would miss Chile’s closing Group H match with Spain on Friday by picking up a yellow card for a challenge on Behrami in the 21st minute to add to the one he received last week.

After Behrami’s red card Chile tried to make their superior numerical advantage pay before the break, attacking the stout Swiss defence in droves with Alexis Sanchez creating plenty of openings.

Four minutes before the interval Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld made a tactical switch, pulling off striker Alexander Frei and replacing the team captain with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta.