Russia 2017: Goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas ensure Chile beat Cameroon 2-0 in their Group B 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup opener at the Otkrytiye Arena in the Russian capital of Moscow on Sunday evening.
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez came off the bench to cross for Vidal’s 81st-minute header, with Vargas finishing in injury-time after Sanchez rounded the keeper but failed to beat a defender on the line.
Had Sanchez found the net, he would have become Chile’s all-time leading goalscorer. He currently has 37 goals, level with former Lazio and Juventus striker Marcelo Salas, who retired in 2008.
Just before the break in Moscow, Vargas had a strike correctly ruled out for a very marginal offside following the use of video technology. His goal in the 91st minute was also referred to the video assistant referees – presumably to check on another possible offside – but it stood.
Cameroon could also have argued they should have had a referral in the first half when Vincent Aboubakar was harshly adjudged to have pulled back Vidal as Michael Ngadjui headed in a free-kick.
The other two teams in Group B – Australia and world champions Germany – play on Monday (16:00 BST).
Cameroon: Ondoa; Mabouka, Teikeu, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Fai; Anguissa (Mandjeck 89′), Siani (Ngamaleu 86′), Djoum; Moukandjo, Aboubakar, Bassogog
Chile: Herrera; Isla, Jara, Medel, Beausejour; Fuenzalida (Valencia 64′), Vidal, Diaz, Aránguiz (Silva 71′); Vargas, Puch (Sanchez 58′)
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