An impressive performance from Chile ensured they got a deserved win over Venezuela who had not lost (or won) before this game. Central to their success was Bryan Carrasco who enjoyed a fabulous evening and was unfortunate to end the night without a goal for himself.
This was a vast improvement for Chile who had been thoroughly disappointing in their previous two games. Things were made more difficult for them when Nicolás Peñailillo was sent off for a second bookable offence with half an hour still to play and the score at 2-1.
It was Venezuela who opened the scoring on the night; a great ball from Yohandry Orozco was hit first time by José Meza and beat the goalkeeper from close range. Chile responded really well to going a goal down and were level ten minutes later. Bryan Carrasco delivered a brilliant cross when running down the right flank and was met by the head of Yashir Pinto who was running in toward the far post. Great cross, great header.
After their equaliser, Chile continued to dominate. Another good cross from Carrasco forced a desperate lunge and clearance by Venezuelan defender Juan Villarroel.
On the stroke of half time Chile got a deserved second. Carrasco beat two players on the edge of the area and took a shot which fell straight back to him after being saved by the ‘keeper. With the rebound he squared the ball to Luis Gallegos who tapped in. 2-1 at half time.
The opening ten minutes of the second half were thoroughly enjoyable and both teams had several chances to score. Orozco was absolutely central to Venezuela’s attacks and Carrasco tirelessly continued to dominate for Chile.
After Peñailillo’s red card Venezuela started to seriously press for an equaliser and should really have got one through Daniel Febles who saw his close-range effort hit the feet of the goalie and go out for a corner. Chile however did look dangerous on the counter and this threat became a reality for Venezuela later on. In the fifteen minutes that followed Febles’ chance there several desperate scrambles in both penalty areas and many high/wide efforts on goal. There were not many clear cut opportunities as both sides appeared to be perhaps a little panicky with potentially only ten or fifteen minutes left of their tournament.
With four minutes of normal time remaining Alejandro Márquez won the ball in midfield and laid it to Gallegos who ran forward. He beat Jhon Chancellor with ease to break into the penalty area and squared it to Márquez who had not stopped running since his tackle and was there to tap the ball home. A marvellous counterattacking goal made out of fantastic work rate and vision by both Chilean players.
It was a good performance with 10 men by Chile and whilst they did look shaky at times (goalmouth scrambles) they often restricted Venezuela to long range efforts. They were perhaps a little lucky to keep the score at 2-1 for so long but their effective counterattacking play meant that they were able to seal the win with a late goal.
Notable performances / players to watch next time
Chile
Bryan Carrasco (Audax Italiano): By far the man of the match; Carrasco often enjoyed a lot of time and space down the right flank and boy did he make the most of it. He dribbled well, crossed very well and regularly tested the Venezuela goalkeeper. Thankfully this was not his last game of the tournament and he will be watched closely in Chile’s next game.
Yashir Pinto (Concepción): This blog identified Pinto as one to watch in Chile’s last game against Argentina. He was only given the last 25 minutes in that one and did well to get an assist. In this game he scored a really good header and looks like he could become a very effective and instinctive striker.
Luis Gallegos (Univ. Chile): Got a goal and the assist for the brilliant third goal. Generally looked lively throughout.
Alejandro Márquez (Unión Temuco): Two goals in his last two games now, could not fail to be included in this section after his work in this one.
Venezuela
Yohandry Orozco (Zulia): It really is a huge shame that his participation in this tournament is over. He has been fantastic to watch throughout and must surely be watched for the future. This blog will continue to follow him with great interest.
Brazil
Ecuador
Colombia
Paraguay
Bolivia
