Chile Makes 2017 Confederations Cup Knockout Stage with Draw vs. Australia
Chile drew 1-1 with Australia in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup on Sunday to qualify for the knockout stage from Group B.
James Troisi gave Australia a shock lead shortly before half-time, but half-time substitute Martin Rodriguez grabbed the equaliser after 67 minutes.
The Socceroos faded in the second half as Chile's quality finally trickled through after a quiet performance.
La Roja will play Portugal in the last four on Wednesday.
Australia freshened up its starting XI, making six replacements, including veteran Tim Cahill. Chile also rang the changes, as they made five amendments to their side, drafting in Jose Fuenzalida and Francisco Silva in a 4-3-3.
The Chileans appeared keen in the opening moments, but the Aussies fought their way back into the game after losing territory.
Australia played with a high intensity that unsettled their opponents, and Troisi was the hero. The goal was thoroughly deserved after a subdued first-half performance by Chile.
Cahill rolled back the years to cause issues for the Chilean side, and the Aussies appeared the much better unit as they pressed.
Chile fought back after the restart but found it difficult to stop the waves of attacks.
Despite Australia's confidence in defence, Chile pegged back their opponents with Rodriguez's goal. The 22-year-old bundled the ball over the line to claim a scrappy effort to level the match.
The strike triggered fatigue in the Australians, and La Roja quickly worked their way into controlling the tempo of proceedings.
Socceroos substitute Jamie MacLaren should have regained the lead against the run of play, but he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Rodriguez immediately countered as Chile hunted a winner, but the winger blasted high and wide as he lost composure.
Australia were clearly spent in the final part of the match after the physical display that had hurt Chile's initial ambitions.
It was the Chileans, however, who advanced as runners-up in the group, and Australia were eliminated.
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