Alexis Sanchez became Chile's leading goal scorer but he was unable
to celebrate the occasion with a victory after Germany struck back in a
1-1 Confederations Cup draw at the Kazan Arena. Sanchez claimed
his 38th international goal in the seventh minute to eclipse the record
set by Marcelo Salas, reaching the milestone on his 112th cap.
The
28-year-old Arsenal striker stepped off the bench to inspire a 2-0
victory over Cameroon three days earlier and he was superb once more,
but World Cup holders Germany expertly secured a share of the spoils
through Lars Stindl. The outcome means both sides need only a
point from their last remaining Group B fixtures to progress into the
semifinals, knowing a victory in Kazan would have guaranteed their place
in the knockout stage.
Sanchez wrote his name into the history
books with help from Arsenal teammate Shkodran Mustafi, who blundered
when his dreadful pass out of defence was deflected by Arturo Vidal into
the path of Sanchez.There was still work to do but Sanchez
played a smart one-two with Vidal before galloping into the area and
firing a left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Mustafi
was lucky to escape a red card for his sickening one-footed lunge at
Vidal after he had placed Sanchez in on goal in a passage of play the
defender will want to forget. Germany were coming under sustained
pressure but they drew level in the 41st minute with a wonderfully
worked goal finished by Stindl.
Emre Can picked out full-back
Jonas Hector with a brilliant pass and moments later Stindl arrived to
stab a square ball home from close range for his second international
goal. The second half lacked the same drama, though through no lack of effort from the world champions and South American champions.
Iranian
referee Alireza Faghani displeased Sanchez by booking him for kicking
the ball away when the Gunners marksman claimed he was attempting to
allow an opponent to receive treatment.
Chile's best chance of a
goal was through their industrious forward, whose Arsenal future remains
uncertain, but a Germany side containing three 2014 World Cup players
-- Mustafi, Julian Draxler and Matthias Ginter -- defended resolutely.
Can
was presented with a half-chance in injury time but he failed to
connect cleanly, although there was scope for disaster when a defender
unwittingly deflected the ball before seeing it drift to safety.
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