Matías Fernández
Encyclopedia
Matías Ariel Fernández Fernández (born 15 May 1986) is a Chile
an footballer who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal in Portugal
.
An attacking midfielder with playmaking and dribbling skills, also being a free-kick
specialist, he is known by several nicknames: Mati, El Pelusa and Matigol.
Fernández was elected South American Footballer of the Year
in 2006, and also appeared for the Chilean national team
in the 2010 World Cup
and two Copa América
tournaments.
neighbourhood in Buenos Aires
to Argentine
mother Mirtha and Chile
an father Humberto, and moved to La Calera, Chile
, at just four.
Fernández has two brothers, Ezequiel and Nazareno. He considers himself Chilean, having moved out of his birth nation very early, without having formed a vivid memory of those years.
at the age of 12. His debut in the first division came on 1 August 2004, against archrival Universidad de Chile
. A week later he scored his first two goals against Club de Deportes Cobresal. In the same season, "Matigol" scored a spectacular goal against C.D. O'Higgins, which immortalized him to fans.
He would go on to score a total of eight goals in the 2004 Clausura
, and was named best young player of the season. In the 2006 Apertura
, Fernández helped Colo-Colo capture their 24th title. In December of the same year he helped it reach the final of the 2006 Southamerican Cup, where they lost to Club Pachuca of Mexico
, scoring nine goals in six games for the tournament. He left Colo-Colo on a high note, winning the 2006 Clausura tournament and the South American Footballer of the Year
award.
side Villarreal CF
for a fee of €
8.7 million, joining compatriot Manuel Pellegrini
, the club's coach. The transaction was made before he received the "South American Player of the Year" award and, despite reports that Real Madrid
and Chelsea
were also interested, he agreed to terms with Villarreal and arrived at the Valencia airport on 27 December. On 7 January 2007, Fernández made his La Liga
debut against neighbours
Valencia CF
, in a 0–1 away loss, scoring his first goal for the club three months later, in a 3–0 league win at Gimnàstic de Tarragona
.
Despite having had a buyout clause of €50 million inserted in his contract, Fernández failed to achieve significant playing time during his first three seasons, but still contributed with 30 games and three goals in 2007–08, as Villarreal finished a club-best runner-up. On 10 May 2009, he scored from a penalty kick
in a 3–3 away draw against eventual champions FC Barcelona
.
On October 27, Fernández scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw at Vitória de Guimarães, adding another the following week, also in the league, at home against C.S. Marítimo (again 1–1); in the UEFA Europa League, he added another, in injury time of the Lions 3–0 win against Everton
, in the competition's round of 16 (4–2 on aggregate).
at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
, scoring a goal in the 7–0 victory over Honduras. Despite a second-round exit to the Netherlands
, Fernández displayed overall good football, playing alongside Nicolás Canales
, Carlos Villanueva
and José Pedro Fuenzalida
.
Also a former under-17
international, Fernández quickly established as an integral part of the main side
, scoring five goals and appearing for the nation at the 2007 Copa América.
After figuring prominently in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
qualification campaign
, Fernández was selected for the finals in South Africa
, playing - and starting - in the group stage against Honduras
and Switzerland
(both 1–0 wins), in an eventual last-16 exit.
when he was driving from Santiago
to Viña del Mar
, to witness his child's birth.
Before moving to Europe he was often compared to compatriot David Pizarro
, who spent most of his professional career in Serie A
of Italy
.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an footballer who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
An attacking midfielder with playmaking and dribbling skills, also being a free-kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
specialist, he is known by several nicknames: Mati, El Pelusa and Matigol.
Fernández was elected South American Footballer of the Year
South American Footballer of the Year
The South American Footballer of the Year is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, whom awarded it from 1971 to 1985. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over...
in 2006, and also appeared for the Chilean national team
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
in the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
and two Copa América
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
tournaments.
Early life
Fernández was born in the CaballitoCaballito, Buenos Aires
Caballito is a barrio of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. It is the only barrio in the administrative division Comuna 6....
neighbourhood in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
to Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
mother Mirtha and Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an father Humberto, and moved to La Calera, Chile
La Calera, Chile
La Calera is a city and commune in the Quillota Province of central Chile's fifth region of Valparaíso.-Geography:La Calera is located from Valparaíso, and from Santiago. Its area is...
, at just four.
Fernández has two brothers, Ezequiel and Nazareno. He considers himself Chilean, having moved out of his birth nation very early, without having formed a vivid memory of those years.
Colo-Colo
Fernández began with the youth squads of Colo-ColoColo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
at the age of 12. His debut in the first division came on 1 August 2004, against archrival Universidad de Chile
Universidad de Chile (football club)
Club Universidad de Chile is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.The club was founded on May 24, 1927, as Club Deportivo Universitario. Universidad de Chile is the second most successful and popular football clubs in Chile, having won the...
. A week later he scored his first two goals against Club de Deportes Cobresal. In the same season, "Matigol" scored a spectacular goal against C.D. O'Higgins, which immortalized him to fans.
He would go on to score a total of eight goals in the 2004 Clausura
Apertura and Clausura
The Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
, and was named best young player of the season. In the 2006 Apertura
Apertura and Clausura
The Apertura and Clausura tournaments are a relatively recent innovation for many Latin American football leagues in which the traditional European football season from August to May is divided in two sections per season, each with its own champion. Apertura and Clausura are the Spanish words for...
, Fernández helped Colo-Colo capture their 24th title. In December of the same year he helped it reach the final of the 2006 Southamerican Cup, where they lost to Club Pachuca of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, scoring nine goals in six games for the tournament. He left Colo-Colo on a high note, winning the 2006 Clausura tournament and the South American Footballer of the Year
South American Footballer of the Year
The South American Footballer of the Year is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, whom awarded it from 1971 to 1985. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over...
award.
Villarreal
In late October 2006, Fernández was signed by SpanishSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
side Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
for a fee of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
8.7 million, joining compatriot Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Luis Pellegrini Ripamonti is a Chilean manager and former footballer. His current club is La Liga side Málaga CF.-Club career:...
, the club's coach. The transaction was made before he received the "South American Player of the Year" award and, despite reports that Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
and Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
were also interested, he agreed to terms with Villarreal and arrived at the Valencia airport on 27 December. On 7 January 2007, Fernández made his La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
debut against neighbours
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, in a 0–1 away loss, scoring his first goal for the club three months later, in a 3–0 league win at Gimnàstic de Tarragona
Gimnàstic de Tarragona
Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona, usually referred to as Nàstic, is a Spanish sports club based in Tarragona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Its football team currently plays in Segunda División....
.
Despite having had a buyout clause of €50 million inserted in his contract, Fernández failed to achieve significant playing time during his first three seasons, but still contributed with 30 games and three goals in 2007–08, as Villarreal finished a club-best runner-up. On 10 May 2009, he scored from a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
in a 3–3 away draw against eventual champions FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
.
Sporting
On 1 July 2009, after being deemed surplus to requirements by new Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde, Fernández moved to Sporting Clube de Portugal on a four-year contract, for €3.65 million, with a further €500,000 payable depending on appearances. Villarreal would retain 20% of the profit on any future sale of the player.On October 27, Fernández scored his first goal for the club, in a 1–1 draw at Vitória de Guimarães, adding another the following week, also in the league, at home against C.S. Marítimo (again 1–1); in the UEFA Europa League, he added another, in injury time of the Lions 3–0 win against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, in the competition's round of 16 (4–2 on aggregate).
International career
Fernández captained ChileChile national under-20 football team
Chile national U-20 football team, also known as Chile Sub-20 or La Rojita, is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile. The U-20 team is considered to be the breeding ground for future Chile national soccer team players...
at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
2005 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in The Netherlands between 10 June and 2 July 2005. The 2005 championship was the 15th contested.- Venues :- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship...
, scoring a goal in the 7–0 victory over Honduras. Despite a second-round exit to the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
, Fernández displayed overall good football, playing alongside Nicolás Canales
Nicolas Canales
Nicolás Canales is a Chilean international footballer and he currently plays for Palestino. Canales was part of Benfica B's...
, Carlos Villanueva
Carlos Villanueva (footballer)
Carlos Andrés Villanueva Roland is a Chilean football player who is currently playing for Al Shabab.-Audax Italiano:In the Copa Libertadores 2007, the left-footed playmaker was the hub of Audax Italiano...
and José Pedro Fuenzalida
José Pedro Fuenzalida
José Pedro Fuenzalida Gana is a Chilean footballer also known as "Chapita". Fuenzalida is a midfielder, who currently plays for Colo-Colo. He went through the Universidad Católica's youth system, until 2005 when he made his professional debut with the adult squad at the age of 19...
.
Also a former under-17
Chile national under-17 football team
Chile national under-17 football team is the representative of Chile within all FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level. It is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile and has participated in two FIFA U-17 World Cups...
international, Fernández quickly established as an integral part of the main side
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
, scoring five goals and appearing for the nation at the 2007 Copa América.
After figuring prominently in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
qualification campaign
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
, Fernández was selected for the finals in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, playing - and starting - in the group stage against Honduras
Honduras national football team
The Honduran national football team, nicknamed Los Catrachos, La Bicolor or La H, is the national team of Honduras and is controlled by the Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras...
and Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
(both 1–0 wins), in an eventual last-16 exit.
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8 October 2006 | Estadio Sausalito Estadio Sausalito Estadio Sausalito is a multi-purpose stadium in Viña del Mar, Chile. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of CD Everton. The stadium holds 18,037 people and was built in 1929... , Viña del Mar Viña del Mar Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located... , Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... |
1–1 | 3–2 | Pacific Cup | |
| 2. | 8 October 2006 | Estadio Sausalito Estadio Sausalito Estadio Sausalito is a multi-purpose stadium in Viña del Mar, Chile. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of CD Everton. The stadium holds 18,037 people and was built in 1929... , Viña del Mar Viña del Mar Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located... , Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... |
2–1 | 3–2 | Pacific Cup | |
| 3. | 7 February 2007 | Estadio José Pachencho Romero Estadio José Pachencho Romero The José "Pachencho" Romero Stadium is a sports stadium in Maracaibo, capital of the Zulia state, in Venezuela. The stadium holds 40,800 spectators... , Maracaibo Maracaibo Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state... , Venezuela Venezuela Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south... |
0–1 | 0–1 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 4. | 17 October 2007 | Estadio Nacional de Chile Estadio Nacional de Chile The Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos is the national stadium of Chile, and is located in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago). It is the largest stadium in Chile with an official capacity of 47,000, and is part of a 62 ha sporting complex which also features tennis courts, an aquatics center, a... , Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... , Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... |
2–0 | 2–0 | 2010 World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 5. | 10 September 2008 | Estadio Nacional de Chile Estadio Nacional de Chile The Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos is the national stadium of Chile, and is located in the Ñuñoa district of Santiago). It is the largest stadium in Chile with an official capacity of 47,000, and is part of a 62 ha sporting complex which also features tennis courts, an aquatics center, a... , Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... , Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... |
4–0 | 4–0 | 2010 World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 6. | 29 March 2009 | Estadio Monumental "U", Lima Lima Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima... , Peru Peru Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.... |
1–3 | 1–3 | 2010 World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 7. | 6 June 2009 | Estadio Defensores del Chaco Estadio Defensores del Chaco Estadio Defensores del Chaco is a multi-purpose stadium in Asunción, Paraguay. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium once had a 50,000+ capacity but over the years the stadium has undergone remodeling dropping the capacity to 36,000.... , Asunción Asunción Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San... , Paraguay Paraguay Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the... |
0–1 | 0–2 | 2010 World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL... |
|
| 8. | 26 March 2011 | Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa The Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa is a football stadium in Leiria, Portugal, built as a venue for the UEFA Euro 2004 finals held in Portugal. It is the home for Leiria's main football club, União de Leiria. It was designed by Tomás Taveira in 2003. The stadium contains different coloured seats as... , Leiria Leiria Leiria is a city in Leiria Municipality in the Centro Region, Portugal. It is the capital of Leiria District. The city proper has 50,200 inhabitants and the entire municipality has nearly 120,000... , Portugal Portugal Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the... |
1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 9. | 29 March 2011 | Kyocera Stadion, The Hague The Hague The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam... , Netherlands Netherlands The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders... |
0–1 | 0–2 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 10. | 19 June 2011 | Estadio Monumental Estadio Monumental David Arellano Estadio Monumental is a football stadium in Santiago, Chile. Completed in 1989, the stadium has a current spectator capacity of 45,000. Originally, the stadium could hold up to 65,000 spectators but that was dramatically reduced for security reasons... , Santiago Santiago, Chile Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level... , Chile Chile Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... |
1–0 | 4–0 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 11. | 7 October 2011 | Estadio El Monumental de River Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is a stadium in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires, Argentina at the intersection of Figueroa Alcorta and Udaondo. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti... , Buenos Aires, Argentina Argentina Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires... |
3–1 | 4–1 | 2014 World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) The South American Zone of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees nine teams competing for places in the finals which are to be held in Brazil.-Format:The format for CONMEBOL's 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament is identical to the previous four editions... |
|
Team
- Colo-ColoColo-ColoClub Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
:- Chilean League: Apertura 2006, Clausura 2006
Personal life
Fernández has a Chilean girlfriend; the couple's first child was born in late 2008. He was fined for speedingSpeed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
when he was driving from Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
to Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar , is a city and commune on central Chile's Pacific coast. Its long stretches of white sandy beaches are a major attraction for national and international tourists. The city is Chile's main tourist attraction. Known as "La Ciudad Jardín" , Viña del Mar is a Chilean Municipality located...
, to witness his child's birth.
Before moving to Europe he was often compared to compatriot David Pizarro
David Pizarro
David Marcelo Pizarro Cortés is a Chilean football Midfielder. Pizarro. He also plays for the Chile national team, for which he won the Bronze medal at 2000 Summer Olympics, at Sydney...
, who spent most of his professional career in Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
External links
- Statistics at Irish Times
- BDFutbol profile
- Stats and profile at Zerozero