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Peru 3 Chile 4: Sanchez stars in solid win

Alexis Sanchez starred with a brace as Chile overcame a 10-man Peru 4-3 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

The Arsenal attacker scored twice and set up one of Eduardo Vargas' two goals in Chile's win at the Estadio Nacional de Lima.

A first-half red card to Christian Cueva turned the game, at that stage locked at 1-1, but Peru did briefly lead through Jefferson Farfan's brace.

Vargas and Sanchez scored before half-time to see the visitors take control of the contest and they were untroubled from that point on despite Paolo Guerrero's late goal.

With the goal, Guerrero equalled Teofilo Cubillas as Peru's all-time leading goalscorers with 26.

Jorge Sampaoli's men only needed seven minutes to take the lead.

Vargas was denied by Gallese in the 22nd minute before the game turned in Chile's favour.

Marcelo Diaz was shown a yellow card for a cynical handball, only for Cueva to be sent off for throwing the ball at Jorge Valdivia after retrieving it for Peru's free-kick.

But Chile's response was immediate as they scored twice in the final minutes of the first half.

Sanchez's excellent pass released Valdivia down the left and he cut back to Vargas for an easy tap in.

Peru's slim chances of a comeback were dealt a huge blow just after half-time.