CUIABA, Brazil -- Chile capitalized on a sluggish start by Australia to earn a 3-1 win in their World Cup opener on Friday, with Alexis Sanchez carrying over his prolific form for Barcelona with a goal and assist for the dangerous tournament outsiders.
Mike Matheny . Sanchez -- a potential star of the World Cup -- poked home from close range in the 12th minute, before setting up Jorge Valdivia barely a minute later for the playmaker to finish from the edge of the area. A young Australia team, written off by most before a ball had been kicked, looked in danger of falling apart but the experienced Tim Cahill brought them back into the game with a trademark header in the 35th. Cahill, dominant in the air throughout, had several chances to equalize before and after halftime as Chile slipped off the pace in muggy conditions in Cuiaba. But a drilled, low shot by substitute Jean Beausejour settled the match in the second minute of injury time, sending the Chilean bench running onto the pitch and making fans set off fireworks. Chile moved level with Netherlands, which thrashed Spain 5-1 earlier Friday, and has a chance to eliminate the reigning champions when they meet in their next Group B game on Wednesday. "They have a superlative history in (major tournaments) so we definitely will have to play better than we did today," Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said. "It will certainly be an electrifying game." Boasting its best ever squad for a World Cup, Chile has been strongly tipped by many -- including Pele -- to go far in Brazil despite being thrown in the same group as two of Europes top teams. And the Spanish, ripped apart by the Dutch in Salvador, will not be relishing playing Sampaolis side with their title defence on the line. Especially with Sanchez in this form. The 25-year-old forward is coming off his best season at Camp Nou -- having scored 21 goals, 19 in the league -- and he was too much for a flimsy Australia defence in the first half. Sanchez was on hand to guide in a close-range finish inside the near post after Australia captain Mile Jedinak failed to head clear Charles Aranguizs cross. The celebrations had hardly died down when Sanchez span his marker and laid the ball across for Valdivia to finish high into the net from 20 yards (meters). "Early on, we were probably just overawed by the whole thing," Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said. "In the end, we gave away a two-goal start and thats what killed us." It was already looking like a damage-limitation exercise for the beleaguered Socceroos, the lowest-ranked nation in Brazil. The raucous Chilean fans were regaling their teams crisp passing with chants "Ole" and a no-look backheel from Sanchez highlighted his confidence. But Chiles momentum was punctured when Cahill, renowned for his tremendous jumping ability, leapt above diminutive marker Gary Medel to thump home a header from a right-wing cross. He had a header ruled out for a marginal offside and squandered other chances before Beausejour ended Australias hopes of a comeback. "They got in twice," Cahill said. "(But) after that you could see their legs were going. We knew we could get something out of this game. We stood up strong. Its just unfortunate, not a lot went our way tonight, and it showed." Capping a satisfying night overall for Chile was the sight of star midfielder Arturo Vidal starting and playing 59 minutes on his return from knee surgery. "He was very good," Sampaoli. "His knee is good."
Keith Hernandez . -- Dee Ford prefers to keep things simple: Play hard and fast, and let others worry about his NFL draft stock.
Tyler Webb . Ferrer, the two-time defending champion in Buenos Aires, is aiming to win his 21st ATP tournament. Ferrer will next face fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, the fourth seed, who defeated Jeremy Chardy of France 7-6 (7), 6-3 in another quarterfinal match.
http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-yadier-molina-jersey-large-1091q.html . The first of the three games will be played in Week 4, when the Oakland Raiders will take on the Miami Dolphins on Sept.Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce says Premier League safety is far from a foregone conclusion for his side. Saturday was a great day for the Black Cats as they twice came from behind to secure a stunning 3-2 win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, while relegation rivals Newcastle and Norwich picked up just a point between them.The confluence of results means that another victory for Sunderland at home to Everton on Wednesday - live on Sky Sports - would guarantee their survival. Roberto Martinezs men are winding down what is seen in many quarters as a disappointing season and they never looked like crashing Leicesters title-winning party on Saturday, conceding an early goal and slipping to a 3-1 defeat. I hope there is not a feeling out there that this game is a foregone conclusion. It will be anything but. Sam Allardyce However, Allardyce says he will be wary of Everton and thinks criticism of their recent displays will spur them on.I hope there is not a feeling out there that this game is a foregone conclusion, said the Sunderland boss. It will be anything but. Wahbi Khazri was among the goal scorers when Sunderland beat Chelsea at the weekend Everton have been criticised for their performance against Leicester and I think that will get a reaction from their players and Roberto here on Wednesday.
Orlando Cepeda. .I think we will see Everton trying their best to spoil our evening.We must be in top form and be as committed as we were on Saturday, if we are to get the result we are looking for. Allardyce thinks Everton will provide stiff opposition on Wednesday Allardyce agreed that Saturdays victory had put his side in a good position but quickly returned to the need to avoid complacency.Everybody has been relaxing and enjoyed the day off yesterday, he said. Now we have to focus for Wednesdays big game against Everton.The outcome of Saturdays result means, if we can secure another victory, we are safe with one game to go.It is obviously going to be crucial to us that we give as good a performance as we gave on Saturday against Chelsea. Also See: Sam: Win over Chelsea extraordinary Sky Sports Now podcast Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea Mersons predictions ' ' '
