Alexis Sanchez has inspired Chile to a come-from-behind
3-2 friendly win over Egypt in Santiago on Friday.
The Barcelona attacker set up all three goals for Jorge
Sampaoli's men, whose high line had been exposed by Mohamed Salah and Khaled
Kamar in the first half.
Sanchez provided Marcelo Diaz's goal in the first half
and did exceptionally well to set up Eduardo Vargas' second-half brace.
Despite not being at full strength, the defence would
have worried Sampaoli, whose team face Spain, the Netherlands and Australia at
the World Cup.
Having earned a free-kick, Sanchez carved out the first
opportunity of the game as he brought down the set-piece before scuffing a shot
from just outside the area which Sherif Ekramy saved easily.
Egypt had looked forced into mostly long balls before
making the most of an opportunity to open the scoring through Salah in the 12th
minute.
Gary Medel gave possession away cheaply in the middle
third and the Chelsea attacker was released in behind by Mohamed El Nenny and
finished neatly past Claudio Bravo in a one-on-one.
Just four minutes later and Egypt doubled their lead.
Kamar beat the offside trap to latch onto Ali Ghazal's
long pass, netting his first international goal with an exquisite chip over an
onrushing Bravo.
Chile had half-chances from set-pieces and range but
struggled to break down an Egypt side content to sit deep and hit on the break.
Sanchez helped his side back into the game by setting up
Diaz to make it 2-1 in the 26th minute.
His run down the right led to him squaring for the Basel
midfielder, whose first touch bounced up and allowed him to volley into the
bottom corner and in off the post.
Bravo was forced into two good saves, including once from
a corner, while Vargas was denied an equaliser by Ekramy's stop soon after.
Sanchez was denied twice more before half-time as Ekramy
kept out his stinging volley and then watched as the lively attacker headed a
glorious chance over the bar.
Chile looked more comfortable in possession to start the
second half, but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
On the hour-mark, more genius from Sanchez saw Chile
level.
From the right, Sanchez picked out the deep run of
Vargas, who finished first time past substitute goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary.
Sanchez was at it again to set up what proved to be the
winner in the 78th minute.
Receiving a pass with his back to goal and just inside
the attacking half, he lost his marker before picking out Vargas through the
centre of a big hole in the middle of Egypt's defence.
The attacker, who spent the season on loan at Valencia
from Napoli, finished neatly, but Chile had to endure a couple of nervous
moments to hang on.
Egypt substitute Ibrahim Abdul-Khaleq had an attempt
cleared off the line, but the hosts managed to hold on for an entertaining win
as they also survived a late penalty shout.
Chile wrap up their preparations for the World Cup with a
clash against Northern Ireland on Wednesday before their Brazil 2014 opener
against Australia on June 13.
Culled from Soccerway
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