World Cup schedule June 16: Spain vs. Switzerland, others
Honduras vs. Chile starts the day, followed by Spain vs. Switzerland, and finally South Africa vs. Uruguay. The host country is looking to upset another Spanish-speaking nation, following its tie against Mexico.
Switzerland's fans celebrate before the start of the 2010 World Cup Group H match between Spain and Switzerland, 4 pm (10 am EST) at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban Wednesday.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Chile is expected to defeat Honduras, Spain is expected to trounce Switzerland, and South Africa is looking to upset Uruguay on the World Cup schedule Wednesday (all coverage).
WEDNESDAY (June 16):
- Honduras vs. Chile, 1:30 pm (7:30 am EST)
- Spain vs. Switzerland, 4 pm (10 am EST)
- South Africa vs. Uruguay, 8:30 pm (2:30 pm EST)
No. 18-ranked Chile is expected to control its opening match against No. 38-ranked Honduras.
Spain boasts one-third of the world's top 15 soccer players, according to ESPN: Xavi (ranked No. 4), Andres Iniesta (No. 7), Fernando Torres (No. 8), David Villa (No. 11), and Iker Casillas (No. 15).
It's no wonder that Spain, along with powerhouse Brazil, is favored to win it all. Its first round match against Switzerland offers a glance at the team's talent, and it'll be worth noting if they come out strong or cautious.
Wednesday's third match pits the World Cup host nation against Uruguay. FIFA ranks the South American nation No. 16 worldwide, while South Africa ranks at No. 83. This didn't stop the so-called Bafana Bafana from managing a tie against No. 17 Mexico in their opening day match.
Can South Africa keep it up?
Check back with Monitor for the results. On Tuesday, New Zealand tied Slovakia (0-0), Portugal tied Ivory Coast (0-0), and Brazil defeated North Korea (2-1). See all results and a schedule at FIFA.com.
Download a PDF of the World Cup schedule from FIFA, and this ESPN fact sheet on its month-long coverage of the World Cup. Live television coverage on ESPN and Univision begins a half-hour before each match. ESPN3 offers live streaming.
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