It was an action-packed performance that saw a bit of everything from Alexis Sanchez – his power, his pace, his work-rate, his goal-threat, his technical ability – except for the winning goal.
That, unfortunately for the Arsenal forward, fell to Brazil’s Roberto Firmino, who found the net twelve minutes after entering the fray on the hour mark, following a rather drab first 60 minutes from Dunga’s side.
Chile certainly had the initiative until that point, going into the interval with 62% possession and three chances at goal. A cynical foul policy kept Neymar relatively quiet during that period, whilst Sanchez’s drive, athleticism and skill continued to create problems for Selecao at the other end. He finished the match with the most successful dribbles, the most attempts at goal and the most fouls drawn of any player on either side.
A quadruple substitution from Dunga after an hour however, swapping Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, Souza, Luis Adriano and Douglas Costa for ex-Manchester City man Robinho, Elias, Chelsea’s Willian and Roberto Firmino, changed the nature of the contest and soon lead to the only true high-quality chance of the match.
An explosion of pace from the Brazil attack allowed right-back Danilo to slip in Firmino, who took the ball around Chile goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a clinical first touch before passing into an empty net for the only goal of the afternoon.
His impact this afternoon will only increase interest in Firmino. The Hoffenheim attacker has claimed 22 goals and 18 assists in his last 59 Bundesliga appearances, leading the Daily Mail to link the 23 year-old with a move to either Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal this summer.
Barcelona forward Neymar, on the other hand, was relatively quiet compared to his normal standards, finishing the match without a shot on target.
Here’s a look at the goal:
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