A match is the same (5)

I believe the answer is:

alike

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'the same' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a match' is the wordplay.
'match' becomes 'like' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'like'='ALIKE'

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alike that I've seen before include "Equally" , "possessing similar characteristics" , "Akin" , "In a similar way" , "Dull pain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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