Former Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez believes there is much more to come from his Chile (7/10 to qualify from Group H) outfit in the World Cup.
The Chileans impressed in their 1-0 win over Honduras as they started their Group H campaign in Nelspruit.
Jean Beausejour’s 34th minute goal was the first time Chile had hit the net in the World Cup finals since 1962, but Gonzalez says the team won’t be celebrating their success too long, with Monday’s clash against Switzerland in Port Elizabeth just around the corner.
The 25-year-old, now at CSKA Moscow, said: “It is always important to win the first three points and after that you can think you have one leg in the second round.
“We just want to celebrate, especially because we have made history – for so many years Chile did not win a game at the World Cup.
“We are very happy about that but looking forward to the second game now.
“We just have to think about Switzerland now. It will be a tough game and we will have to keep up our good work.
“I don’t know much about the Swiss but we know they are a very tough team.
“We will watch videos during the week, so we will know them better.
“We will try to win the next game so we can think about the next round.”
Chile are joint top of the group, along with Switzerland who shocked World Cup favourites Spain 1-0.
“We can’t relax yet,” Gonzalez added. “I think we can do much better.
“We won 1-0 but could have scored more goals. As a team we did things wrong and we will try to fix that up.”
Honduras’ first World Cup in 28 years started with a whimper, even before the game, as key striker David Suazo failed a fitness test on a thigh injury and playmaker Julio Cesar de Leon was ruled out of the tournament on the eve of the match after breaking down in training.
Honduras now have five days to lift themselves before their daunting match-up with Spain at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park.
Veteran captain Amado Guevara said: “Nobody likes to lose, less so in a World Cup, but there are things we can salvage.
“We knew Chile would play to attack but we lacked the patience to control the ball.
“We misplaced too many passes and we need to be more relaxed.”
For De Leon, the result compounded his sadness at being forced home early.
The Torino midfielder suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the week and, after being told to rest for at least a fortnight, gave up his place in the squad.
De Leon said: “I go with the bitterness of not giving the people what they deserve, not showing the world my football.
“There’s something dead inside me, I have no strength to mourn.
“But I must be positive, put on a brave face and smile, because some people are worse off than me.
“For years I struggled to achieve my dream of playing a World Cup, and it has gone – but every player is exposed and unfortunately it befell me.”
Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.