World Football

Medel bicycle kick sets up Chile win

02:03 BST, Mon 16 Jun 2008
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Chile fans watch their team play Bolivia in a World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match in La Paz June 15, 2008.     REUTERS/David Mercado (BOLIVIA)

LA PAZ, June 15 (Reuters) - Defender Gary Medel scored twice, the first a stunning bicycle kick, to give Chile a 2-0 win in Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Medel opened the scoring on the half hour after Pedro Morales's free kick crashed against the crossbar.

The rebound was headed back into the area by Jean Beausejour and Medel, with his back to goal, hooked the ball into the net with an overhead kick from the penalty spot.

After a sustained spell of Bolivia pressure early in the second half, Medel clinched the three points with an equally classy second goal, sweeping the ball home after collecting a corner on his chest.

The match was staged in La Paz, at 3,600 metres above sea level, after FIFA last month lifted a ban on international games being played at over 2,750 metres.

Both teams were hindered as much by a bumpy, badly-worn pitch as the altitude.

Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa's gamble of fielding an inexperienced team paid off as his side moved on to seven points from five games in the 10-team South American group.

Bolivia stayed bottom with one point.

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