Arturo Vidal felt Alexis Sanchez needed his goal for Chile against Japan after a difficult season with Manchester United.
Sanchez scored his first goal since January as the two-time defending Copa America champions beat Japan 4-0 in Sao Paulo on Monday.
The Manchester United attacker headed in a cross from Charles Aranguiz in the 82nd minute before setting up Eduardo Vargas a minute later.
Vidal said the goal was just what Sanchez, who netted twice in 27 games for United in 2018-19, needed.
Alexis needed the goal. He had a difficult year and this gives him confidence, the midfielder said.
EN VIVO
¡FINAAAAAAAAL EN MORUMBI!
Nuestros bicampeones demostraron todo el talento y se llevaron los primeros tres puntos en la
¡Qué gran fiesta vivimos hoy!
— Selección Chilena (@LaRoja)
The late goals wrapped up Chile s win after Erick Pulgar s first-half header and Vargas deflected strike in the 54th minute.
Vidal, whose team face Ecuador in Group C on Friday, urged Chile to continue improving.
We must focus from now on that game, he said.
We know that if we keep improving we can be a very dangerous team.
