Alexis Sanchez set the ground on fire in Chile’s first World Cup match against relatively inferior team Australia and is speculated to give the Spaniards a tough time in their encounter tonight. The 25-year old, currently a right winger at FC Barcelona began his senior career from the tender age of 16 with Chilean club Cobreloa, where he scored 12 goals in his very first season out of 47 appearances.
A successful forward, he is expected to be versatile on the field, a talent Sanchez displays well. He is able to complete long and short passes with equal ease and can discover openings against considerable strong defence. Despite being another lightweight forward, the Chilean has been fouled against especially during club matches but has managed to steer clear of injuries during this World Cup. Seeing as he is only one match down and is facing a relatively gentle team (Spain) , it is yet to be seen as to how strongly he is able to handle himself if attacked.
The match against Australia saw him dance around Australian defender Ryan to score the first goal of that match. His quick passing and the ability to identify the best player to score a goal resulted in his assist to Valdivia just two minutes after Sanchez scored, a goal that pretty much sealed Chile’s victory. With a defence that can throw the opposition off the goal side, it becomes easier for Sanchez to display his adept passing, dribbling and shooting skills and perhaps secure another goal against Spain.
Player Stats:
Club: FC Barcelona since 2011
Position: Forward/Right Wing for Chile, Right Wing for Barcelona
Goals Scored Club: 93 Country: 24
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