SANTIAGO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Chilean soccer star Esteban Paredes was recruited to help his national team face Uruguay in its World Cup qualifier Tuesday, after player Alexis Sanchez was benched for rough play in a match against Peru, the team's management said Sunday.

Chilean coach Jorge Sampaoli called on Paredes, who plays forward for Mexican team Atlante, to fill out the lineup and help defeat Uruguay, Chile's national soccer association said on its website.

"Paredes, who arrived this morning in (Chile's capital) Santiago, replaces Alexis Sanchez ... who was released for collecting yellow cards," the association said.

The game between Chile and Uruguay is considered key for both teams, after Chile lost to Peru in Lima and Uruguay tied Paraguay in its home turf.

Chilean team member Marcelo Diaz praised the decision to bring Paredes in for the match.

"He is a born scorer who has been playing well for Mexico and he will beef up our offensive," said Diaz, who plays for Basel, Switzerland.

Chile goes up against Uruguay at 8:30 pm (23:30 GMT) Tuesday in Santiago's National Stadium in day 12 of the regional Concacaf qualifying rounds for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.