Chile 3-0 Zambia

Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to score twice for Chile as the South Americans swept past Zambia in Santiago.

Chile began slowly against their robust opponents and struggled to break down a side who reached the quarter finals at the African Cup of Nations in January. At half time coach Marcelo Bielsa made four changes including the introduction of Sanchez which took just seven minutes to pay off.

The outstanding Jorge Valdivia fed the ball through to Carlos Carmona out wide who crossed for Sanchez to tap in from close range. Chile began to look menacing as their confidence grew but the gritty Zambians held out until eight minutes from time when Chile and Sanchez scored a second.

The young winger has the potential to be a star in South Africa and displayed good footwork to create space for himself on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot across goal and past Zambian goalkeeper Kalililo Kakonje.

Just two minutes later Valdivia wrapped up the win, smashing Jean Beausejour’s cross into the net with real authority. He thoroughly deserved his goal after an excellent, creative display over the full ninety minutes. Chile play Northern Ireland and Israel on Sunday before travelling to South Africa in time for their opening group game against Honduras on 16^th June.