RIO DE JANEIRO (AP):

The magnitude of Spain's opening 5-1 loss to Netherlands comes into sharper focus today when the defending champions must fend off World Cup elimination against Chile, less than a week into the tournament.

Spain and 2010 runners-up Netherlands were expected to advance from Group B, but plenty of pundits - including Brazilian great Pele - tipped Chile as genuine contenders to progress at the expense of one of those European powers.

The Chileans opened with a 3-1 win over Australia and a second straight victory by the South Americans would almost certainly knock Spain out of the competition.

The Dutch play Australia, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, in the first of today's three matches at 11 a.m. (Ja time). That will be followed by Spain versus Chile at 2 p.m. Spain coach, Vicente del Bosque, stuck with the core group of players who have helped deliver two European championships and a World Cup in a tremendous streak starting in 2008. But after the humiliating loss to the Netherlands, he has forecast changes. Spain need at least a draw against Chile to remain in contention.

under close scrutiny

There's speculation that Cesc Fabregas could replace Diego Costa and Pedro Rodriguez could come in for David Silva. Captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas' spot is also under close scrutiny.

"In life, there are solutions for everything," Del Bosque said. "It's still in our hands."

Chile have not beaten Spain in 10 games.

Big games by Arturo Vidal and Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez are crucial to Chile's chances. Vidal, the creative midfielder from Juventus, is recovering after knee surgery and played for an hour against Australia.