There was heartbreak for Alexis Sanchez last night as Chile failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
His side started the evening in third place in the South American qualifying table but slipped to sixth after a dramatic evening.
Having qualified for the last two World Cups, Chile did themselves no favours by losing 3-0 to Brazil with Paulinho and a Gabriel Jesus double doing the damage.
But it was results elsewhere that settled their fate and more specifically late goal in the match between Peru and Colombia in which Sanchez’s Arsenal team-mate David Ospina played a major role.
Colombia and Peru drew 1-1 which meant they finished fourth and fifth respectively and pushed Chile down to sixth. The late equaliser for Peru, which effectively knocked Chile out, was bizarre.
Trailing from a James Rodriguez goal, in the 74th minute Peru were awarded an indirect free-kick on the edge of Colombia’s box.
Inexplicably, Paolo Guerrero took a shot at goal which wouldn’t have counted. But Ospina, not realising the situation, tried to save it and in doing so touched the ball before it went into the net. As such, the goal stood.
The result meant Colombia finished on 27 points and Peru on 26 points. Chile also amassed 26 points but missed out on the play-off spot due to an inferior goal difference.
There could be some very awkward scenes when the pair return to training with Arsenal.
Elsewhere in the group Uruguay qualified behind table-toppers Brazil and Argentina also claimed a place at the World Cup in Russia after finishing third.
MORE : Jose Mourinho has doubts over Manchester United’s move for Mesut Ozil
Share this with