Football: Sanchez Makes History As Chile Draw With Germany
Zeeshan Mehtab Published June 23, 2017 | 08:25 AM
KAZAN, Russia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2017 ) - Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez became Chile's all-time top-scorer with his 38th international goal in Thursday's 1-1 draw with Germany at the Confederations Cup.
The Gunners' star, voted man of the match, wrote himself into the record books by capitalising on an early mistake in the German defence. However, Lars Stindl netted his second goal of the tournament to equalise for the world champions just before the break to eventually earn a share of the points.
"We knew they would come at us with a lot of pressure and power," said goal-scorer Stindl. "But the result is not undeserved. "We now know we can stand up well against great opponents." The result leaves South American champions Chile top of Group B on goal difference from World Cup winners Germany.
With both teams on four points, three ahead of Australia and Cameroon who drew 1-1 earlier, they are in pole position to reach next week's semi-finals. Germany play Cameroon on Sunday in Sochi while Chile face the Socceroos in Moscow.
Despite leaving all his World Cup-winning stars at home, Germany's head coach Joachim Loew still managed to name four of his first-choice team. He started with wing-backs Jonas Hector and Joshua Kimmich with Liverpool's Emre Can and Paris St-Germain's Julian Draxler, who all impressed in Monday's 3-2 win over Australia.
"Overall, I am very happy," said Loew. "It was a very high level match, and a tactical challenge for a young team like ours." Chile boss Juan Antonio Pizzi started with an experienced side, including nine of the team which beat Argentina on penalties in the 2016 Copa America final.
"It was a very high-level game with two teams playing very aggressively going forward, which was very attractive for the fans," said Pizzi. "Both teams are very ambitious, so sometimes they neutralise each other.
"The result reflects the high level on the pitch." After their opening 2-0 win over Cameroon, Chile took the lead with just six minutes gone. There was nothing on when goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen harmlessly rolled the ball out towards Joshua Kimmich.
However, Kimmich's Bayern Munich team-mate Arturo Vidal reacted fastest, deflected the ball into Sanchez's path and the striker fired home off the inside of the post. "Unfortunately we went behind after a bad pass, that kind of mistake is punished, but the team's reaction was very good," said Loew.
"As the match went on, we got forward with more and more boldness." Despite Loew's positive appraisal, Chile could have been 2-0 when Eduardo Vargas rattled the crossbar on 20 minutes with Barcelona goalkeeper Ter Stegen beaten.
Despite the early scare, Germany regained their composure and pushed forward. When Can broke into the Chile half, his pass to the left wing found Hector, whose hard, low cross was stabbed by Stindl past goalkeeper Johnny Herrera on 41 minutes.
It was Stindl's second goal in Russia, after he opened the scoring against Australia, to make it 1-1 at the break. The midfield battle intensified in the second half. Vidal and Bayer Leverkusen's Charles Aranguiz shaded the battle with Germany's defensive midfielder Sebastian Rudy, who will also join Bayern next season, and Liverpool's Can.
With 20 minutes to go Chile's Inter Milan midfielder Gary Medel limped off to be replaced by defender Paulo Diaz. Draxler was a strong figure for the Germans in the attacking midfield role, helping out in defence and constantly looking to put Stindl or Leon Goretzka in space.
Both sides had no more than half-chances to break the deadlock with the group winners to be decided by the weekend's final round.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
More Stories From Sports
-
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
7 hours ago -
HEC, Army move National Challenge Cup semis
8 hours ago -
Jonathan Milan wins Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
8 hours ago -
WAPDA taste first final defeat in tennis in 42 years after falling to PAF
9 hours ago -
Bangladesh seal T20 series with nine-run win over Zimbabwe
10 hours ago -
Babar Azam eyes multiple records during Ireland, England tours
11 hours ago
-
Flat-out: Hirscher boosts skiing in mountainless Netherlands
11 hours ago -
Pakistan, Japan match ends in a draw
11 hours ago -
Cricket: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe second T20 scores
11 hours ago -
Olympic flame to arrive in France ahead of Paris Olympics
11 hours ago -
Is time up for Ten Hag after Man Utd implosion?
14 hours ago -
Match officials named for FIFA Qualifier
14 hours ago