‘La Roja’ knew that with Brazil and Uruguay to come in the final three games and with qualification fate now out of their hands, this was a must-win game in Santiago. After Brereton Díaz was fouled in the second minute, talisman and record goalscorer Alexis Sánchez almost put his side in front when his cross evaded everyone including Emiliano Martinez’s right-hand post. Moments later, however, a good advantage from referee Anderson Daronco around the center circle saw Di María break free. Despite three men around him he cut back onto his left foot and bent a trademark curling effort past Claudio Bravo.
New Chilean cult hero Brereton Díaz equalized for the home side minutes later, latching onto a lofted cross-field ball from Marcelino Núñez before guiding his header beyond the reach of Martinez. A sublime finish set to further attract Premier League suitors back home. The partisan atmosphere was to be dampened once again by ‘La Albiceleste’ before HT. Rodrigo De Paul’s 40-yard drive could only be parried into the path of Lautaro Martínez who calmly stroked home. It was an error from Bravo, who was immediately hauled off leaving the crowd questioning a suspected injury or a public humiliation.
Considering how much hinged on this result, Chile looked like a team devoid of ideas and lacking any urge to commit numbers forward. Brereton Díaz registered his side’s only second-half effort on target in the dying minutes, but his header was smartly saved, as Argentina sat back content with their evening’s work.
Despite breaching the stern Argentinian defense for the first time in seven games, Chile may be left ruing the opening stages of the FIFA World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) campaign as they won just one of their first 10 games. They face an uphill battle despite knowing they sit only three points adrift of Uruguay in fourth.
