Alexis Sánchez (Part 3)

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3 Apr 2024

Alexis Sánchez (Part 3)

Alexis Sánchez faced a turbulent season upon his return from the 2017 Confederations Cup, as he grappled with injuries and uncertainties surrounding his future at Arsenal. Despite missing some early matches, Sánchez made a significant impact when he returned to action.
His first goal of the season came in Arsenal's UEFA Europa League victory over Köln, where he showcased his trademark skill with a well-placed shot from outside the penalty area. Sánchez also contributed to Arsenal's League Cup win over Doncaster Rovers by providing an assist for Theo Walcott's goal.

In the Premier League, Sánchez demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess with crucial strikes against Everton, Tottenham, and Burnley. His injury-time penalty against Burnley proved to be decisive in securing a vital three points for Arsenal. Additionally, he maintained his fine form with goals against Huddersfield Town, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace, helping Arsenal secure important victories.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding his future, Sánchez remained a key figure for Arsenal, delivering impactful performances and contributing valuable goals throughout the season.

After completing his transfer to Manchester United in January 2018, Alexis Sánchez made an immediate impact on his new club. He made his debut in a convincing 4–0 victory against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup, becoming the first Chilean to represent Manchester United in a competitive match.
Sánchez quickly endeared himself to the United faithful by scoring his first goal for the club on 3 February 2018, in a 2–0 home win against Huddersfield Town. Despite having his initial penalty saved, Sánchez demonstrated his predatory instincts by following up and converting the rebound, marking his first goal in the famous red jersey.

Sánchez showcased his importance once again with a crucial goal on 6 October. In a remarkable comeback victory against Newcastle United, Sánchez scored a dramatic 90th-minute winning goal, sealing a memorable 3–2 win for Manchester United after initially trailing 2–0 in the first ten minutes of the match. This goal demonstrated Sánchez's ability to deliver in crucial moments and provided a glimpse of his match-winning capabilities for his new club.
After a loan spell with Inter Milan during the 2019–2020 season, Alexis Sánchez made a permanent move to the club on 6 August 2020, signing a three-year deal. His tenure with Inter was marked by several notable performances and contributions.

Sánchez made his debut for Inter on 14 September 2019, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 victory against his former club, Udinese. He quickly made an impact by scoring his first goal for Inter two weeks later in a 3–1 win against Sampdoria. However, his debut goal was marred by a red card he received for diving inside the box.
Throughout his time with Inter, Sánchez continued to showcase his talent and versatility. On 4 March 2021, he scored a crucial brace in a 2–1 away victory against Parma, further solidifying his importance to the team. One of his most memorable moments came on 12 January 2022, when he scored a late winner against Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana, securing a 2–1 victory for Inter Milan in the prestigious competition.

Despite his contributions, Sánchez's journey with Inter Milan came to an end on 8 August 2022, when he agreed to mutually terminate his contract with the club. This marked the conclusion of his time with Inter, during which he left a lasting impact with his performances on the pitch.
Alexis Sánchez played a pivotal role for Chile during the 2015 Copa América, which was hosted by Chile. He contributed significantly to Chile's success throughout the tournament.
In the opening match against Ecuador, Sánchez provided an assist to Eduardo Vargas in Chile's 2–0 victory, setting the tone for their campaign. His impact continued in the final group game against Bolivia, where he scored a header in Chile's 5–0 win, helping his team secure the top spot in their group.

One of Sánchez's standout performances came in the quarter-final match against defending champions Uruguay. Despite the match being highly controversial and ill-tempered, Sánchez was named the man of the match for his exceptional display.
In the semi-final clash against Peru, Sánchez showcased his playmaking abilities by creating the opening goal for Eduardo Vargas, playing a crucial role in Chile's 2–1 victory that propelled them into the final.
The pinnacle of Sánchez's tournament came in the final against Argentina. In a tense and closely contested match that ended in a penalty shootout, Sánchez displayed nerves of steel by converting the winning penalty kick for Chile, securing their first major title in history. His execution of the penalty, in the Panenka style, added a touch of flair to Chile's historic victory.

During the Copa América Centenario held in the United States, Alexis Sánchez played a crucial role in Chile's successful title defense.
In a group stage match against Panama on June 14, Chile found themselves trailing 1–0 before Sánchez, along with Eduardo Vargas, turned the tide with two goals each in a 4–2 victory, securing Chile's spot in the knockout rounds.
Four days later, in a stunning 7–0 victory over Mexico at Levi's Stadium, Sánchez was instrumental, scoring a goal and providing two assists. The win ended Mexico's 22-game unbeaten streak and propelled Chile into the semi-finals.

In the semi-final clash against Colombia, Sánchez reached a significant milestone, becoming only the second Chilean player, after Claudio Bravo, to earn 100 caps for the national team. He played a key role in Chile's 2–0 victory, contributing to the second goal by forcing a rebound off the post for José Pedro Fuenzalida to tap in.
In the final, Chile faced Argentina in a rematch of the previous Copa América final. With both teams reduced to 10 men before halftime, the match ended in a tense 0–0 draw. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Chile emerged victorious with a 4–2 scoreline, securing back-to-back Copa América titles. Sánchez's outstanding performances throughout the tournament earned him the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player, highlighting his immense impact on Chile's success.

In the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, Alexis Sánchez played a pivotal role for the Chilean national team, showcasing his talent and leadership on the international stage.
In Chile's opening match against Cameroon on June 18, 2017, Sánchez made a significant impact coming off the bench despite recovering from an ankle injury. He provided an assist for Arturo Vidal's opening goal, helping Chile secure a 2–0 victory.
Just four days later, in Chile's second group match against Germany, Sánchez etched his name into the history books. He scored the opening goal of the game, marking his 38th international goal and surpassing Marcelo Salas as Chile's all-time leading goalscorer. Additionally, this goal earned him the distinction of being Chile's joint top appearance holder alongside Claudio Bravo, with 112 international caps.

Chile advanced to the final after defeating Portugal on penalties in the semi-final. However, they faced a formidable challenge in the form of reigning World Cup champions Germany. Despite Sánchez's valiant efforts, including a late free kick that was saved by German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Chile narrowly lost the final 1–0.
Throughout the tournament, Sánchez's contributions were instrumental in Chile's journey to the final, solidifying his status as one of Chile's greatest footballing icons.