Ben Brereton has explained the instructions he was given when making his Chile debut, a moment in which he said was filled with both excitement and nerves.

Brereton was a 77th minute substitute in the Copa America draw with Argentina on Monday, his next aim to win a first start when they face Bolivia on Friday night.

The 22-year-old has trained with his new international team-mates for the last three weeks, and was an unused substitute in World Cup qualifiers with Argentina and Bolivia before making his debut.

The Copa America opener against Argentina, and absence of Alexis Sanchez through injury, offered Brereton a chance to make his first outing for Chile, with an eagerness among La Roja supporters to see him in action.

Brereton got the chance to operate in his more favoured central role, replacing Carlos Palacios.

Of that, Brereton said: “They asked me to make runs in behind the defence and to hold the ball up and to make a nuisance (of myself).

“I felt that it was a great result.”

 

While it gave Chile fans a first glimpse of their new recruit, it was a moment of pride for Brereton and his family.

He added: “I’m very happy, it was a great moment for me and my family.

“I’m honoured to play for the Chilean national team, it was a great experience and result, so I’m really happy.

“I was really excited, a few nerves because I wanted to do well for the team, but to get on, it was a great moment for me and I was happy with the result that we got.”