Alexis Sanchez struck twice in the second half of Chile’s 3-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday to secure a crucial result in their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Sanchez was named in the starting XI after overcoming a muscle problem which forced him to sit out the goalless draw in Colombia last week.
And the Arsenal star proved to be the difference in Santiago on Tuesday, scoring twice in the second half to complete Chile’s comeback while ending Uruguay’s four-game unbeaten run.
Edinson Cavani had given visiting Uruguay a 17th-minute lead upon his return to the line-up having served a suspension before Eduardo Vargas levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time.
Sanchez took centre stage from that point, his 60th-minute volley putting Chile ahead and he made sure of the points 16 minutes later with his 36th international goal as he moved within one of Marcelo Salas’ record.
Claudio Bravo gave away a penalty two minutes from the end but he saved Luis Suarez’s spot-kick to ensure Chile leapfrogged Colombia into fourth on 20 points, within three of second-placed Uruguay.
Chile and Uruguay were both boosted by some key inclusions for the showdown at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos.