Practice makes perfect for Chile hero Eduardo Vargas

Sport360 staff 07:44 30/06/2015
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  • Eduardo Vargas vies for the ball with Carlos Ascues (R) during the Copa America semi-final.

    Eduardo Vargas scored twice as Chile downed fierce rivals Peru 2-1 here Monday to reach the Copa America final for the first time in nearly 30 years.

    Vargas, who endured a miserable season on loan at relegated English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, lashed in a stunning 64th-minute strike as the hosts advanced to the final for the first time since 1987.

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    Vargas had given Chile a controversial lead after 42 minutes, prodding home from close range after the referee's assistant failed to spot a fractional offside. 

    Peru, who played most of the match with 10 men after Carlos Zambrano was sent off for a reckless challenge on Charles Aranguiz after 20 minutes, came back bravely to force an equaliser through a Gary Medel own goal in the 60th minute. 

    But Vargas, who also had a legitimate goal wrongly ruled out for offside early in the second half, restored Chile's lead with a contender for goal of the tournament. 

    The 25-year-old picked up a loose ball in midfield, surged forward and unleashed a ferocious dipping 30-yard effort that flew into the top corner past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. 

    Chile will now play the winner of Tuesday's semi-final between Argentina and Paraguay as they chase a first ever Copa America crown after 99 years of failure.

    Vidal was fortunate to escape at least a booking for thrusting a hand in Zambrano's face as tempers threatened to boil over.

    Moments later, Venezuelan referee Jose Argota moved to nip the tensions in the bud, showing Zambrano a yellow card for tugging down Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.

    The match turned in the 20th minute after Zambrano's dismissal. 

    The centre-half was given his marching orders after catching Charles Aranguiz with an ugly studs-up challenge as he followed through after a clearance. 

    Sensing Peru's vulnerability, Chile turned up the pressure and might have opened the scoring through Jorge Valdivia on 28 minutes, only for the influential playmaker's curling shot to fly just wide. 

    Three minutes before half-time, though, Peru's resistance broke when Sanchez's cross from the left bounced back off the inside of the upright for Vargas to bundle home from close range. 

    The goal was harsh on Peru, though, as replays showed Vargas was fractionally offside when Sanchez crossed.

    Peru clawed their way back into the contest on the hour mark when Guerrero released Advincula down the right.

    The fullback's cross caused havoc in the Chile area and Medel panicked and prodded home past Claudio Bravo.

    Peru's celebrations were shortlived though when Vargas crashed in his winning goal four minutes later.

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