Alexis Sánchez

Alexis Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez born 19 December 1988, known as Alexis Sánchez or simply Alexis, is a Chilean footballer who plays for English club Arsenal and the Chilean national team as a forward.

After his debut season of first-team football with Cobreloa, Sánchez was signed by Italy's Udinese Calcio in 2006. Following successful loans at Colo-Colo and River Plate, he began playing in Serie A. In 2011, he was signed by Barcelona for £25 million, becoming the most expensive transfer in Chilean football history. Sánchez signed for Arsenal in July 2014 for a fee reported to be around £35 million, making him the second-most expensive signing in the club's history after Mesut Özil.

Sánchez has been a full international for Chile since 2006, and has earned 91 caps, making him the team's second-most capped player of all time after goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. With 31 goals, he is their joint-third top scorer of all time. He played in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014) as well as the 2011 and 2015 Copa América tournaments, winning the latter.

International career

Sánchez made his international debut for the Chile national team against New Zealand on 27 April 2006. He was called up by the coach José Sulantay to represent the Chilean under-20 team at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Canada, where they finished third.

After his participation in the youth championship, Sánchez scored his first senior international goal in a 2–1 loss against Switzerland on 7 September 2007. He scored three times during La Roja's successful 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and appeared on every match during the tournament finals. He then participated in the 2011 Copa América, scoring once in a 1–1 group stage draw with Uruguay, as Chile reached the quarter-finals. On 15 November 2013, Sánchez scored both goals as Chile beat England 2–0 at Wembley Stadium, repeating the achievement of national team legend Marcelo Salas in 1998.

2014 World Cup
Sánchez scored four times in Chile's qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

On 13 June 2014, Sánchez scored Chile's opening goal of the 2014 World Cup, and provided an assist, in a 3–1 defeat of Australia in Cuiabá. During the round of 16, Sánchez scored the equalising goal in a 1–1 draw against the hosts Brazil. However, he was one of three Chileans to fail to convert their kicks in the penalty shootout, having his shot saved by Júlio César as Brazil prevailed 3–2.

2015 Copa América
Sánchez was a member of Chile's squad as they hosted the 2015 Copa América. He registered an assist in Chile's 2–0 win over Ecuador in the tournament opener. Sanchez then scored in Chile's final group game, with an excellent diving-header header in a 5–0 win against Bolivia which sent Chile through as group winners – he and Arturo Vidal were rested by being substituted at half time.

Sanchez was named man of the match in Chile's ill-tempered and highly controversial quarter-final win over defending-champions Uruguay. In the semi-final vs Peru, Sanchez created the opening goal with a well-placed cross, and Chile progressed to the Final with a 2–1 victory. On 4 July, Sánchez converted the winning kick in the final as Chile defeated Argentina in a penalty shootout to win their first major title, executing it in the Panenka style.

2018 FIFA World Cup
In Chile's first game of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification on 9 October 2015, Sánchez scored in a 2–0 win over Brazil, Chile's first victory against the opponents since 2000. Four days later, he scored twice in a 4–3 win at rivals Peru.

Style of play
Sánchez is a quick, creative, and hardworking player with an eye for goal. Due to his ability with either foot, he is capable of playing anywhere along the front line, on either flank, or through the centre of the pitch; throughout his career, he has been deployed as a supporting striker, as a winger, and as an attacking midfielder. Sánchez is gifted with excellent technical ability, agility, flair, and acceleration, which enables him to dribble past opponents with skill.