BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa – Switzerland and Honduras battled to a 0-0 tie on Friday in their Group H World Cup match, a result that left both sides out of the round of 16, while Spain and Chile advanced.

The Swiss, having stunned the soccer world by upsetting mighty Spain in their first match, came into the contest with an outside chance of reaching the knockout stage if they beat Honduras, though their prospects depended on Chile losing big to Spain.

Though the Chileans lost, the 2-1 score meant that even a Swiss triumph over the Central American squad would have been in vain.

Honduras, meanwhile, could take some consolation that their performance Friday in Bloemfontein marked a big improvement from the squad’s earlier losses Chile and Spain.

With nothing more to lose, the Hondurans took the initiative on offense and had the better of the play in the opening minutes, but the Swiss remained unrattled and evened the possession.

While Switzerland’s Eren Derdiyok and Blaise Nkufo generated some chances, neither could put the ball on goal.

Honduras threatened early in the second half, when David Suazo found himself alone in front of the Swiss net only to see his header go wide.

Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio was later forced to make a great save on a shot by Edgar Alvarez set up by Suazo. EFE