Sanchez stars as Chile down Venezuela in 2018 World Cup qualifier

Santiago (AFP) – Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez powered Chile to a 3-1 victory over Venezuela on Tuesday as the South American champions edged ahead of Argentina in the battle for places at the 2018 World Cup.

Sanchez opened the scoring with a magnificent curling free-kick after only four minutes to give Chile the lead against bottom team Venezuela.

The forward was involved in the build-up for Chile’s second goal for Esteban Paredes moments later as the hosts went 2-0 up after only seven minutes.

Sanchez provided a headed cross to present Paredes with a goal-line header for Chile’s third goal on 22 minutes to leave Venezuela staring at a heavy defeat.

The Venezuelans however rallied bravely in the second half and pulled a goal back from a Salomon Rondon header in the 62nd minute.

They then appeared to have made it 3-2 in the 71st minute when Tomas Rincon’s long-range shot hit the underside of the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line.

The goal was not given though and Chile retained their two-goal cushion.

Sanchez then had the chance to snuff out Venezuela’s resistance but saw his penalty saved by teenage goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez in the 76th minute.

Chile’s win lifted the Copa America champions into the automatic qualifying standings with 23 points from 14 games.

Argentina, who were beaten 2-0 by Bolivia earlier Tuesday, are now down in fifth place with 22 points from 14 games. 

The first four finishers in the 10-team competition qualify automatically for next year’s finals in Russia. The fifth placed team enters a playoff against an Asia side.