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Sanchez celebrates his equaliser against Uruguay. Ricardo Mazalan/AP/Press Association Images
Justifying The Hype

Juego Bonito: Sanchez the star as Chile seek to secure quarter-final spot

Alexis Sanchez added to his reputation with the equalising goal for Chile in their Copa America clash against Uruguay on Friday night.

Group C: Uruguay 1-1 Chile, Peru 1-0 Mexico

How it happened: Chile’s much sought-after winger Alexis Sanchez was the hero as his equaliser against Uruguay helped his side keep control of Group C after two games.

The Uruguayans started well and Diego Forlan could have put his side ahead in the first half, but saw his effort go wide. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez then wasted a perfect opportunity when he drove his shot over after breaking through.

Forlan then saw his weak header cleared off the line by Pablo Contreras before Chile woke up. Birmingham’s Jean Beausejour fired across the Uruguayan goal and they nearly fluked a goal when Mauricio Isla’s charge-down hit the bar.

Uruguay took the lead and it was thanks to the good work of Suarez, whose cut-back was converted from close range by Porto’s Alvara Pereira.

However, the last word went to Sanchez in the 65th minute. The Udinese starlet, wanted by Barcelona and Manchester City, prodded into the bottom corner after Beausejour had precisely pulled the ball back into his path.

In the group’s other match, Peru joined the Chileans at the top of the table on four points after Pablo Guerrero’s second goal of the tournament gave them a deserved 1-0 win over Mexico.

Key player: Alexis Sanchez. The young winger is really making a name for himself and his goal for Chile leaves his side top of Group C and strong favourites to make the quarter-finals.

Turning point: Though a lively game, it seemed that neither side would break the deadlock until Suarez, the picture of perpetual energy, crossed for an unmarked Pereira to slot home. This galvanised Chile and only 11 minutes later they had their equaliser.

Next up: Action from Group B as Brazil look to breathe life into their tournament. The Samba Boys take on Paraguay while Venezuela come head-to-head with Ecuador.

Read: The best of Thursday night’s clash between Bolivia and Costa Rica >