Currently linked with a move across London to Chelsea) imagine Arsenal Fan TV if that happens), Alexis Sanchez put Arsenal’s current woes behind him to produce a fine man of the match display for Chile in their World Cup qualifier with Venezuela on Tuesday.
Sanchez opened the scoring after just five minutes, via an exquisite free-kick.
TREMENDO ALEXIS! El niño maravilla abrió el marcador en el Monumental con un tiro libre espectacular #ChileNoSeRinde https://t.co/Ha17ztRjVU pic.twitter.com/OerJQ6hRQJ
— Mega (@Mega) March 28, 2017
Soon after, Sanchez was in the thick of the action action, involved in a superb team move which saw Esteban Paredes score from close-range.
¡Para ver mil veces! El gran gol de Esteban Paredes para el segundo de Chile frente a Venezuela. Apoya porque #ChileNoSeRinde pic.twitter.com/syhjMFZG4f
— Mega (@Mega) March 28, 2017
The game was done and dusted after just 22 minutes when Paredes headed home La Roja’s third of the night, with Sanchez involved once again.
¡Paredes logra el tercero para Chile! Después de una gran jugada de la selección que alarga el marcador. #ChileNoSeRinde pic.twitter.com/LuLdpVysN4
— Mega (@Mega) March 28, 2017
West Brom’s Salomon Rondon did get a consolation goal for Venezuela after the break.
Con este certero cabezazo Venezuela descuenta en el Estadio Monumental gracias a Rondón. #ChileNoSeRinde por https://t.co/Ha17ztRjVU pic.twitter.com/cST9dLvDv6
— Mega (@Mega) March 28, 2017
There was still time for Sanchez to miss a penalty late one, thus missing out on the chance to become Chile’s outright all-time top-scorer.
SAVE! 19-year-old Venezuelan goalkeeper Wuilker Fariñez stops Alexis Sánchez’s penalty for Chile. pic.twitter.com/XnCeYpqTdz
— Hispanospherical (@DarrenSpherical) March 28, 2017
Still, the win sees Sanchez and co. leapfrog Argentina to go fourth in what is an incredibly competitive World Cup qualifying campaign.