Alexis Sanchez refused to be drawn on his Arsenal future after becoming Chile’s all-time top-scorer in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Germany at the Confederations Cup.
The Gunners’ star, voted man of the match, became Chile’s all-time top-scorer with his 38th international goal after capitalising on an early mistake in the German defence.
Sanchez has yet to sign a new deal with Arsenal and pointedly ignored a question about his future as he accepted the man-of-the-match award.
“I’m very happy to be Chile’s top-scorer now, our dream is to win this tournament and we feel we have a chance,” Sanchez said.
Despite falling behind, inexperienced Germany fought back as Lars Stindl netted his second goal of the tournament to equalise for the world champions just before the break.
The result leaves South American champions Chile top of Group B on goal difference from the Germans.
With both teams on four points, three ahead of Australia and Cameroon who drew 1-1 earlier, they are in pole position to reach next week’s semi-finals.
Germany play Cameroon on Sunday in Sochi while Chile face the Socceroos in Moscow.
Despite leaving all his World Cup-winning stars at home, Germany’s manager Joachim Low was delighted how his young team fared.
“I am very satisfied with my boys,” Low said. “It was a game of the highest standard. They all did well, with so little experience, so few international matches.
“Against a world-class team like Chile, you will always only get a few chances.”
Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi started with an experienced side, including nine of the team which beat Argentina on penalties in the 2016 Copa America final.
After their opening 2-0 win over Cameroon, Chile took the lead with just six minutes gone.
Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen rolled the ball out towards Joshua Kimmich, but Arturo Vidal deflected the ball into Sanchez’s path and the striker fired home.
Despite Low’s positive appraisal, Chile could have been 2-0 when Eduardo Vargas rattled the crossbar on 20 minutes.
Despite the early scare, Germany regained their composure and pushed forward.
When Can broke into the Chile half, his pass to the left wing found Hector, whose hard, low cross was stabbed by Stindl past goalkeeper Johnny Herrera on 41 minutes.
Both sides had no more than half-chances to break the deadlock with the group winners to be decided by the weekend’s final round.
* Agencies
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