Agence France Presse
Santiago, June 30: Eduardo Vargas scored twice as Chile downed fierce rivals Peru 2-1 here to reach the Copa America final for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Vargas lashed in a stunning 64th-minute strike as the hosts advanced to the final for the first time since 1987. He had earlier, 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 sealed it all up for the hosts with a strike that will definitely be a contender for the ‘best goal of the tournament’.
The 25-year-old picked up a loose ball in midfield, surged forward and unleashed a ferocious dipping 30-yard pile-driver that flew into the top corner past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
The latest installment of Chile and Peru’s long football rivalry – known as the ‘Clasico del Pacifico’ – burst into life after only four minutes, when Chile’s Arturo Vidal tangled angrily with Zambrano.
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.
Yet, while Chile made the brighter start, it was Peru who came closest to scoring in the opening minutes, with Jefferson Farfan’s header from a Paolo Guerrero cross cannoning back off the woodwork.
The match turned in the 20th minute after Zambrano’s dismissal. 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.
Peru clawed their way back into the contest on the hour mark when Guerrero released Advincula down the right. The full-back’s cross caused havoc in the Chile area and Medel panicked and prodded home past his own custodian Claudio Bravo.
Peru’s celebrations were shortlived though when Vargas scored again to keep alive the hosts’ hopes of winning their first Copa title after 99 years of failure.
