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The undefeated arc team under the command of Queiroz. The one that has its players on the front line of Europe. The cuckoo. And more over with an entrance goal, by Lerma’s cross header. Everything played against the national team. The ideal party for the visit.
That diamond in the center that Rueda threw, with Charles closer to the forwards, could not take control. If even Vidal looked imprecise, more concerned about his handsome duel with Lerma himself. Pinares, loaded on the right, did not come into play much either. In the end, the one who worked the most was Baeza, as the central midfielder, running around the coffee growers, covering the empty spaces.
In that scenario, the day was comfortable for Colombia. Very calm, except when Alexis Sánchez took the ball and scattered rivals. In no case was it enough. Chile needed a boost, something to turn it on. And that spark did not come from the field, but from the VAR booth. The technological aid that did not work in Montevideo notified the referee Darío Herrera of a possible penalty from Lerma to Vidal. The image confirmed the kick, the judge charged and the King, with class, put it in the angle.
La Roja met 1-1. Much reward for their performance, yes. But accurate for a moment of collective inspiration. A first-rate start, which ended with a cross from Isla from the right and with the ball at Alexis’s feet at the far post. The definition of tocopillano? A delicacy for the way the goalkeeper was removed. In five minutes, the National Team went from losing to winning the commitment.
Until that moment, the Inter forward stood as the best of the National Team. Very involved, eager to always have the ball. Only a terrible shot from James Rodríguez stopped the momentum of the historic Red striker, who ended the first half walking.
Despite the damage, Sánchez did not go out. But it was noted that it was diminished. That directly affected the offensive weight of the Team of All. The ball was always in the hands of Colombia. Vargas, always disconnected and irritatingly complacent, did not serve as a shock to give rest to the national rear.
The truth is that Chile ended up blowing it up. Exhausted. Thinking about the result more than the good game. The visit confined the National Team, but it is also true that this domain did not translate into clear options. A lot of center, balls to the area, the work of Brayan Cortés was consolidating more and more. The Colo Colo goalkeeper, however, could not do anything in the discounts, with a ball that Falcao caught in the center of the area. It was 2-2, just a prize for a squad that searched the entire second half, against a homeowner who gave up the ground and almost always defended himself in his own area.
Rueda did not seek an offensive face change. Quite the opposite. All of his instructions aimed at the team taking more shelter. And Chile was punished for that. One point out of six at the start of the Playoffs. A sad point, for the outcome in Montevideo and for the last dagger in Santiago. There is much left, yes, but the National Team also has a long way to go to say that it is seriously fighting for a quota for Qatar 2022.
MATCH SHEET
Chile 2: B. Cortés; M. Isla, F. Sierralta, P. Díaz, S. Vegas; C. Pinares (74 ′, JP Fuenzalida), C. Baeza, A. Vidal; Ch. Aránguiz; E. Vargas (90 ′, N. Díaz), A. Sánchez. DT: R. Rueda.
Colombia 2: C. Vargas; J. Medina (28 ′, S. Alzate), D. Sánchez, J. Murillo, J. Mojica; J. Cuadrado, W. Barrios (72 ′, R. Falcao), J. Lerma; J. Rodríguez, D. Zapata, L. Muriel (52 ′, A. Morelo). DT: C. Queiroz.
Goals: 0-1: 7 ′, Lerma heads without marking a center to the far post; 1-1: 38 ′, Vidal scores a penalty after Lerma foul on Vidal himself, warned by the VAR; 2-1: 41 ′, Alexis takes off the goalkeeper with a luxury and scores with the right; 2-2: 90 + 2 ′, Falcao captures a ball in the center of the area and defines first.
Referee: Darío Herrera (ARG). He admonished Vidal, Sierralta, Díaz, Cortés, Vargas (CH); Sánchez, Rodríguez (C).
National Stadium. No audience.
