Chile 2-1 Peru: Eduardo Vargas double sends hosts into Copa America final

Hosts Chile booked their place in the Copa America final as Eduardo Vargas scored twice to give them a 2-1 win over 10-man Peru.

The Napoli forward put the hosts in front from close range, after Peru had Carlos Zambrano controversially sent off for a challenge on Charles Aranguiz, and Jefferson Farfan had hit the post.

Gary Medel’s own goal drew Peru level, but the hosts were soon back in front thanks to a stunning second from Vargas and they held on to stay on course for their first-ever Copa America title.

Chile now await the winner of the second semi-final between Argentina and Paraguay, with the final taking place on Saturday evening.

It could have been a different outcome as Arturo Vidal was lucky to escape without punishment after a clash with Zambrano, during which he pushed the Peru defender in the face.

Peru went closest first, with Farfan meeting Paolo Guerrero’s cross in the box, and his header from 12 yards came back out off the post.

After picking up a caution for a foul on Alexis Sanchez, Zambrano was then given his marching orders as he appeared to rake his studs down Aranguiz’s back on the follow through from a clearance.

The referee brandished the red card instantly, despite Peru’s protests over a lack of intent, and the underdogs faced 69 minutes with 10 men.

Chile started to enjoy more possession, and they pressed hard for an opener, Jorge Valdivia curling a right-footed effort wide of the far post, before Luis Advincula made an incredible last-ditch challenge to stop Vargas tapping in from close range.

On 42 minutes, though, the deadlock came as Alexis Sanchez’s inswinging cross was dummied by Aranguiz, catching out the goalkeeper as it came out off the post, and Vargas was there to bundle it home, much to the home crowd’s relief.

Shortly after the break, it should have been 2-0 as Vargas was wrongly given offside after firing in a wonderful low volley, but Peru were still in the game and eventually found themselves level when, on the hour, Medel turned Advincula’s cross into his own net at the near post.

Parity was short-lived, though, as just four minutes later Chile’s lead was restored. Vargas picked the ball up in midfield and moved towards goal before unleashing a rasping 30-yard effort which dipped into the top corner with the aid of a deflection.

It was a strike befitting of the occasion and quality of match, and that looked to have killed Peru’s hopes for good.

Sanchez and Arturo Vidal both had good chances, the Arsenal man firing over from close range before the latter drilled a volley inches above the crossbar, while the Juventus midfielder spurned a glorious opportunity to finish the game off in stoppage time as he could only fire a low shot straight at the goalkeeper.

It wouldn’t matter, however, and the hosts go into Saturday’s final as they search for their elusive first Copa America title.