Spain vs. Chile Recap, Video Highlights: Is Spain Still a World Cup Favorite After Poor Performance in 2-2 Draw?

Is Spain still a favorite to win the World Cup in Brazil next summer? Many asked that question after La Roja's 3-0 loss against Brazil in the Confederations Cup final, and that belief was seemingly affirmed on Tuesday after Spain pulled off a 2-2 draw against Chile.

The game should have ended 2-1 in Chile's favor, if not for a terrific late goal from Jesus Navas.

"We had to rely on our ability to fight back and our quality," Navas said after the game, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

However, the late heroics did not hide the fact that Chile was the superior team in the game; it wasn't even close.

Spain apologists will likely point to the fact that the starting lineup was very different from the one it fielded against Finland in the World Cup qualifiers on Friday. Players such as Victor Valdes, Raul Albiol, Nacho Monreal, Koke, Nacho Fernandez and Javi Garcia made rare appearances for the team alongside seasoned veterans like Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Roberto Soldado.

"Little by little we are making a larger group," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque of his decision to give newer players some time on the field, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

While the new guys were far from impressive, it was the veterans that proved the most frustrating throughout the match. Xavi made a ton of poor passes in the center of the field. Pedro tried to force the play down the left flank and gave the ball away many times. Cesc Fabregas was nearly invincible and the defense duo of Ramos and Arbeloa were major culprits on both Chilean goals.

In the second half, Andres Iniesta and Navas were brought on; Navas was invisible early on, while Iniesta constantly dribbled right into traffic and gave the ball away. The two eventually found their rhythm and helped Spain regain their form as the game wore on.

However, one thing was evident from this match. Chile retained possession throughout the game by feeding Spain some of their own medicine. Early on, the Europeans pressured high to regain control of the sphere to limited effect. However, as the match wore on, the Spanish looked lost without the ball and failed to apply appropriate pressure. Furthermore, their slick tiki-taka passing game was nowhere to be seen for most of the 90 minutes; Chile followed Brazil's lead and pressured the team constantly to force mistakes and create turnovers. With a 2-1 lead, Chile started to sit back and let Spain play their usual passing game; it ultimately became their undoing and enabled the reigning World Champions a chance to draw even.

However, Spain will not retain that title if they continue to put up such performances as the one on display Tuesday.