Chile wasted zero time in taking the top spot in Group C at the 2019 Copa America.
Eduardo Vargas scored a brace propelling the Chileans to a 4-0 opening win over Japan on Monday evening.
Erick Pulgar scored the opening goal for Chile, rising high to head in Charles Aranguiz’s corner kick. His header left Keisuke Osako stunned as Chile took a 1-0 first-half lead.
Vargas got a lucky deflection off of Japanese midfielder Yuta Nakayama to double Chile’s advantage. After some swift passing, Vargas shot Mauricio Isla’s pass towards goal which deflected in.
Isla and Aranguiz were amongst the action again, this time connecting before the midfielder sent a cross towards the back post. Alexis Sanchez was able to head home to extend Chile’s lead to 3-0.
Sanchez would contribute on the final goal of the match, playing in Vargas who sent a lovely chip into an empty goal.
🔥🔥GOAL🔥🔥 Eduardo Vargas with a STUNNING chipped finish to make it 4-0 to @LaRoja over @jfa_samuraiblue | WATCH LIVE on beIN 1 & CONNECT ▶️ https://t.co/NZHGdEMW8l #JPNCHI #CopaAmerica2019 pic.twitter.com/8cYbQmNIcJ
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) June 18, 2019
Japan was held to three shots on goal in the loss, their first in the competition. They next take on Uruguay on Thursday while Chile faces Ecuador on Friday.
When invited to past copa americas the USA consistently sent a B or C team and, from what I understand, it upset CONMEBOL so we stopped getting invited…
Japan fielded a B team of like all 22 and under so it is good for the young and to get exp. USA should take note.