Alexis Sanchez scored again as Chile moved into the Copa America quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Ecuador on Friday.
Sanchez struck for the second time in as many games, his 51st-minute goal enough to see Chile onto six points and through from Group C.
Jose Fuenzalida’s opener had earlier been cancelled out by an Enner Valencia penalty in an encounter that never reached any great heights in Salvador.
But Sanchez’s goal put the two-time defending champions into the last eight with a game to spare in the group, with Gabriel Achilier seeing red late on for Ecuador.
Chile made the perfect start, taking an eighth-minute lead through Fuenzalida.
A corner was only partly cleared by Ecuador and Fuenzalida smashed a loose ball in off the inside of the post for his fifth international goal.
Chile were the dominant side early, but they were pegged back against the run of play in the 26th minute.
Jhegson Mendez was brought down by goalkeeper Gabriel Arias after getting on the end of a pass and Valencia converted down the middle to take his tally of international goals to 29.
Chile were increasingly direct as the half went on as both teams struggled to impact in the attacking third, while fouls saw the game robbed of rhythm.
However, Chile restored their lead early in the second half thanks to Sanchez.
Charles Aranguiz created space for a cross from the right and Sanchez, unmarked at the back post, side-footed his effort into the corner.
Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez was called into action in the 64th minute, doing well to push away an Erick Pulgar header from a corner.
Chile managed to control the remainder of the contest and Ecuador’s Achilier was sent off in the 89th minute for elbowing Arturo Vidal.
EN VIVO #LaRoja
72′ Sigue el triunfo de Chile sobre Ecuador en la segunda fecha del Grupo C.
2-1 #VamosChile #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/1GDogcp1Im
— Selección Chilena (@LaRoja) June 22, 2019
What does it mean? Chile well-placed again
They are yet to hit top form at the Copa America, but Chile are well-placed for another run at the title after two wins from two. Chile are on track to finish top, which would hand them a quarter-final against a third-placed team.
Sanchez strikes again
The attacker endured a miserable season with Manchester United and his two Copa America goals already better the one he managed in 20 Premier League games in 2018-19. Sanchez has impressed in glimpses at the tournament so far, but he is at least recapturing some goalscoring form.
Aranguiz the unsung hero for Chile
With all eyes on Sanchez and Vidal, Aranguiz has made the most of having less attention on him so far. The Bayer Leverkusen is already up to three assists at the Copa America, including setting up both of Sanchez’s goals.
3 – Charles Aránguiz assisted Chile’s second goal against Ecuador (netted by Alexis Sánchez) and became the top assist provider in the 2019 Copa America (3). Generous.#CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/2wVbkKpuXq
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 22, 2019
Key Opta Facts:
– Chile have managed more wins against Ecuador than any other nation in Copa America history, beating them in 13 of their 15 meetings.
– They are unbeaten in their past seven Copa America games, their longest run since 1945.
– Ecuador are winless in their past 13 Copa America games against South American nations.
– Sanchez has now played 126 games for Chile, moving into 10th on the list for most caps for a South American player.
What’s next?
Chile can secure top spot in the group by avoiding defeat against Uruguay in a blockbuster clash in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, while Ecuador meet Japan.
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