he made his competitive debut for chile in the 2010 fifa world cup qualification match against bolivia in a 2–0 victory at the estadio hernando siles in la paz, scoring both goals, the first being a bicycle kick. medel played an important role in chile's qualification for the 2010 fifa world cup, playing as a central defender or right back. he started in the three group-stage matches at the world cup finals in south africa, but was suspended for the round of 16 match against brazil, where "la roja" were eliminated.