In a feisty and fast-paced first half at the Emirates, Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has been amongst the brightest sparks.
His Chile side started the fixture somewhat on the backfoot, resorting to cynical fouls to prevent Barcelona forward Neymar having too devastating an impact in the first twenty minutes, also producing an impressive last-ditch tackle from former Cardiff City man Gary Medel.
But some inventive play from Sanchez – particularly, a marauding run down the right wing to produce a dangerous cross, soon followed by a neat jink into the penalty box from the opposing wing, almost drawing a foul from centre-back Miranda – has got Jorge Sampaoli’s side up the pitch and back into the match. They finished the half with an impressive 62% possession.
The Gunners winger-forward has recorded three successful dribbles and drawn four fouls in the first half, the most of any player on either side, whilst creating Chile’s only chance of the match.
Brazil, on the other hand, have struggled for fluidity in comparison to their 3-1 win over France last week. They’ve not kept the ball well, and Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, in particular, has made little impact from the left-hand side.
With both countries preparing for the Copa America this summer, it’s been a rather bloody encounter so far; just six chances at goal in total, compared to a combined 27 tackles. Medel has brought us the most controversial incident of the first 45 – cheekily driving his studs into Neymar’s lower leg after a sweeping tackle on the Brazil striker. Here’s a vine of the incident: