Chile got their highly-anticipated World Cup Group B campaign off to a winning start on Friday by withstanding an Australian comeback to win 3-1 in Cuiaba.

Tim Cahill's 35th-minute header halved a two-goal Chile lead which had been earned through early goals from Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia, and Jean Beausejour's stoppage-time third secured the points for the South Americans.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during an entertaining 90 minutes.

© Getty Images

Chile:

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Unnecessarily ambitious distribution led to the move from which Australia scored the opening, but he later made amends with an excellent reflex to keep out Mark Bresciano in the second half. Should keep things simpler. (6/10)

Defence

Mauricio Isla: Was an excellent attacking outlet for Chile down the right flank in the first period and stayed strong in his defensive work against pacey wingers as they were put under second-half pressure. (8/10)

Gonzalo Jara: Having only featured infrequently in the Championship this term, the ex-Nottingham Forest man did a decent job playing slightly out of position. He is a weakness teams may try to target. (6/10)

Gary Medel: Simply could not compete with Tim Cahill in the air and was outjumped for Australia's goal. Helps Chile build attacks from the back but is better off used in midfield where his height and lack of pace are less easily exposed. (5/10)

Eugenio Mena: Started brightly but faded as the game went on. Another full-back who is far more comfortable going forward than in his own third, and Leckie troubled him at times (6/10)

Midfield

Marcelo Diaz: Was comfortable in possession and was one of key components in helping Chile keep the ball, but lost his legs in second half and offered his back four little protection. (6/10)

Arturo Vidal: Played a couple of nice passes to release Juventus teammate Isla inside the full-back, but is clearly not fully fit and was withdrawn after an hour. His reaction after being substituted suggests that his knee is still causing him real problems. (6/10)

Charles Aranguiz: Showed very clever feet and quick thinking to turn back on himself and stand a cross up in the build up for the opening goal, but drifted in and out of the game apart from the nice touch here and there. (7/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: Showed great composure to take a touch and squeeze the ball in at the near post in a congested area. Another moment of class was his turn and run across the box which allowed Valdivia the space from which he could score. The main difference between the sides. (8/10)

Jorge Valdivia: Helped Chile initially take hold off the game by linking up play in the pockets, and took his goal very well. Was not interested in doing the hard yards when Australia valiantly responded. (7/10)

Eduardo Vargas: Made some intelligent runs, including one which played a key role in Chile's second goal. Had a couple of chances himself, but was not confident in his finishing. (6/10)

Substitutes

Felipe Gutierrez: Was brought on to help Chile try to regain control of the midfield, but he could not adjust to the game quickly enough and it largely passed him by. (5/10)

Jean Beausejour: Offered the South Americans some pace when the game was stretched. Finished very well when the ball fell kindly to him in stoppage time. Surprising he does not command a starting place. (7/10)

Mauricio Pinilla: Was only on the field for five minutes. Saw his only shot blocked by Australian goalkeeper, with the rebound leading to Chile's third goal. (6/10)

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Australia:

Goal

Mat Ryan: Twice had chances to do better with the Sanchez goal, but could not be put at fault for either of Chile's other two strikes. Remained calm as a rookie stopper on a big stage and made a good block in each half. (6/10)

Defence

Ivan Franjic: Struggled to deal with the fluid Chile passing in the opening half-hour. Was always willing to join attacks and whipped in an excellent cross from which Cahill equalised. Limped off injured on 48 minutes. (6/10)

Matthew Spiranovic: The most experienced of the Aussie backline, his good positional play helped him make a couple of important interventions when retreating towards his own goal. (7/10)

Alex Wilkinson: Spiranovic was good, but the pick of the clearances goes to Wilkinson, who swept the ball away from just in front of his own line after Vargas chipped over Ryan. (7/10)

Jason Davidson: Another Aussie defender who recovered from a shaky start to appear more comfortable as the action developed. Good left-footed delivery when he ventured forward, but was often outdone by skills of Sanchez. (6/10)

Midfield

Mile Jedinak: His experience of being the underdog with Crystal Palace this term may well have helped Aussies reply with such spirit. The captain epitomised the fight shown by the whole team. (7/10)

Mark Milligan: Worked as hard as his fellow midfielders, but it was clear that pace of the first half was much quicker than he is used to from A-League competition. Tired in latter stages. (6/10)

Mark Bresciano: Was a late bloomer into the game, but played a bigger part when Australia were pushing for an equaliser. Does not have pace he used to, but unlucky not to level matters with a smart volley, and had a couple of other decent efforts from range. (7/10)

Tommy Oar: Appeared as though he would be the Australian out ball after bright moments in early stages, but he often panicked on the ball and lacked quality with final ball, so Leckie took on the mantle. (6/10)

Mathew Leckie: Was the outlet used by Socceroos when they broke well in the second half. Did not always release the ball at the right times, but was a confident dribbler and possessed real pace. (7/10)

Attack

Tim Cahill: Different position, same old story. Is as dangerous in the air as he has ever been and showed this with a vintage header, climbing above Medel to power home. His jumping ability caused Chile plenty of problems and he may be disappointed that he did not head in a second. (8/10)

Substitutes

Ryan McGowan: Replaced injured Franjic in second half and did not have to endure same defensive strain as his teammate, but was solid nonetheless. (6/10)

Ben Halloran: Like his fellow wingers, was happy to travel with the ball, but often found himself up against the solid Isla on the Australia right. Could have been brought on for Oar earlier in the piece. (7/10)

James Troisi: A lively presence in midfield, but swapping him for Bresciano took quality out of the Aussie side and they did not have the guile to open Chile up late on. (6/10)

Written by
Joe Fish