Chile made a winning start to their World Cup campaign as they denied a brave fightback from Australia to win 3-1 on Friday night at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba.
The South American dark horses broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Alexis Sánchez lashed home from six yards following a period of pinball in the Aussies' six-yard box.
Chile doubled their lead less than two minutes later as Jorge Valdívia slammed a shot over Mat Ryan from the edge of the area after being neatly set up by Sánchez.
But Australia gradually began to settle and the experienced Tim Cahill dragged them back into the game with a trademark back post header in the 35th minute.
Chile, however, sealed a win they deserved on the overall balance of play in stoppage time when Jean Beausejour struck from outside the area.
"The important thing was to win in order to have aspirations," Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli told the media afterwards. "The team were worn down so it was important to get the result.
"We finished the match in complicated fashion, Chile had everything to get a more comfortable result."
Valdívia added: "It was important to start with a win and to do it in this manner.
"This is for all of the people who have travelled a long way to see us and support us."
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said: "I'm very disappointed, I thought we could get something out of this game.
"But Chile began strongly, their two goals made life difficult. For much of the second half we were on top."
Lineups:
Chile: Claudio Bravo; Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Eugenio Mena; Charles Aránguiz, Marcelo Díaz; Arturo Vidal (Felipe Gutiérrez 60), Jorge Valdívia (Jean Beausejour 68); Eduardo Vargas (Mauricio Pinilla 88), Alexis Sánchez
Australia: Mat Ryan, Ivan Franjić (Ryan McGowan 49), Alex Wilkinson, Matthew Špiranović, Jason Davidson; Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan; Mathew Leckie, Mark Bresciano (James Troisi 78), Tommy Oar (Ben Halloran 69); Tim Cahill
The South American dark horses broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Alexis Sánchez lashed home from six yards following a period of pinball in the Aussies' six-yard box.
Chile doubled their lead less than two minutes later as Jorge Valdívia slammed a shot over Mat Ryan from the edge of the area after being neatly set up by Sánchez.
But Australia gradually began to settle and the experienced Tim Cahill dragged them back into the game with a trademark back post header in the 35th minute.
Chile, however, sealed a win they deserved on the overall balance of play in stoppage time when Jean Beausejour struck from outside the area.
"The important thing was to win in order to have aspirations," Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli told the media afterwards. "The team were worn down so it was important to get the result.
"We finished the match in complicated fashion, Chile had everything to get a more comfortable result."
Valdívia added: "It was important to start with a win and to do it in this manner.
"This is for all of the people who have travelled a long way to see us and support us."
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said: "I'm very disappointed, I thought we could get something out of this game.
"But Chile began strongly, their two goals made life difficult. For much of the second half we were on top."
Lineups:
Chile: Claudio Bravo; Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Eugenio Mena; Charles Aránguiz, Marcelo Díaz; Arturo Vidal (Felipe Gutiérrez 60), Jorge Valdívia (Jean Beausejour 68); Eduardo Vargas (Mauricio Pinilla 88), Alexis Sánchez
Australia: Mat Ryan, Ivan Franjić (Ryan McGowan 49), Alex Wilkinson, Matthew Špiranović, Jason Davidson; Mile Jedinak, Mark Milligan; Mathew Leckie, Mark Bresciano (James Troisi 78), Tommy Oar (Ben Halloran 69); Tim Cahill
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