by Lewis Ambrose

Chile got off to a successful start in the 2015 Copa América beating Ecuador 2-0, and Arsenal man Alexis Sánchez was at the centre of almost everything.

Playing up front, Alexis was the focal point for plenty of Chile’s moves.

The tournament is being played in Chile this summer and, with Brazil also in their group, it was imperative the hosts won their opening game.

Misses

So to see Alexis uncharacteristically squander to big chances in the opening for minutes was a surprise.

There wasn’t even 90 seconds on the clock when he poked his first effort wide.

His second saw a failed lob after a wonderful ball through from Jorge Valdivia.

Other than his finishing his game was at it’s best.

Lovely quick interplay saw him tee up Mauricio Isla just before the break but, just as Alexis had done, the wingback couldn’t make the most of the opportunity.

Driven

Alexis always appear to be driven, but as the headline act at a tournament in his homeland? This is his stage. He usually steps up, and you’d expect him to do so again.

Arturo Vidal’s penalty gave Chile the lead on this occasion, before Eduardo Vargas sealed the game with a lovely calm finish.

It was Alexis who set Vargas free as he peeled away from the last defender, the Arsenal star threading through a beautifully disguised pass.

Alexis always delivers when needed. His country need him even more than ever this summer.

Chile expects.