2017 FIFA Confederations Cup: Chile Reach Semifinal Despite A Draw With Australia 1
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Chile booked their berth in the semifinal of 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup after securing a 1-1 draw against Australia on Sunday. James Troisi put Australia ahead by 1-0 just before the end of the first half. Substitute Martin Rodriguez replied with an equaliser goal in the second half as the match ended with the 1-1 scoreline.

Chile made five changes in their starting XI from their last match against Germany while Australia made six alterations in their first XI from their last outing against Cameroon. Chile started the match with the 4-3-3 formation while Australia began with the 3-4-3 formation.

Chile’s opening period was good but Australia was becoming very competitive as the match goes on. However, the first half showed lesser perfect activities in the both final thirds.

Australia impressed with their football as they kept threatening in the Chilean half for several times. However, their final third needed to be more accurate which could change the scoreline as well as current Group B scenario too.

In the 42nd minutes, Australia took a 1-0 lead after Troisi scored from a Chilean defensive error. The first half ended with that scoreline, as Australia needed one more goal (without conceding any goal) to qualify for the semifinal.

In the second half, Chile was looking better as they were giving more attention in the final third. Their attacking football were creating several chances which helped them to level the scoreline.

On 67 minutes, substitute Rodriguez scored the equaliser goal with a perfect finish.

After that, both the teams tried to score more goals but failed on their approaches. The match ended with the 1-1 scoreline.

With this draw, Chile qualified for the semi-final as Group B runner-up with 5 points. On the other hand, Germany qualified for the semi-final as Group B champions with 7 points.

Chile will meet against Portugal in the first semifinal on next Wednesday while Germany will meet against Mexico in the second semifinal on next Thursday.

Key Moments of the match

8 min. – Vidal shot saved: It was a great chance for Chile. Jose Fuenzalida delivered a cross from the right flank which found Arturo Vidal in the front of goal. Vidal produced a low volley which was stopped by the Australian goalkeeper Maty Ryan with his hands.

In the return ball, Vargas struck straight into Ryan’s hands.

 

42 min. – GOAL! (James Troisi) Chile 0-1 Australia: An awful error in Chilean defence created a ball for James Troisi who comfortably beat Claudio Bravo and scored the goal.

 

45 min. + 2 min. – Sainsbury shot found over the box: Cahill produced a headed pass which found Sainsbury who disappointedly hit over the box.   

 

67 min. – GOAL! (Martin Rodriguez) Chile 1-1 Australia: Another defensive error cause a goal. Mena produced a great cross which was failed to clear by Australian defence and Vargas was able to produce a headed pass in the front of goal. Substitute Rodriguez homed that with a perfect finishing touch.

 

72 min. – Jamie MacLaren weak touch disheartened Australian chance: It was a huge chance for Australia. Troisi delivered a great pass for the substitute Jamie MacLaren who failed to make a perfect contact. MacLaren’s weak touch found off target.

 

Squads

Chile (Starting formation 4-3-3): Claudio Bravo – Gonzalo Jara, Paulo Diaz, Eugenio Mena, Mauricio Isla – Francisco Silva, Charles Aranguiz (Pablo Hernandez; 45 min.), Arturo Vidal – Eduardo Vargas (Marcelo Diaz; 82 min.), Alexis Sanchez, Jose Fuenzalida (Martín Rodriguez; 45 min.)

 

Australia (Starting formation 3-4-3): Maty Ryan – Trent Sainsbury (Bailey Wright; 72 min.), Mark Milligan, Ryan McGowan – Massimo Luongo, James Troisi, Aziz Eraltay, Robbie Kruse – Tomislav Juric (Jamie MacLaren; 62 min), Jackson Irvine, Tim Cahill (Mathew Leckie; 57 min.)