Chile cruised past Bolivia with a 5-0 victory in Santiago; both sides had already had their qualification to the next stages confirmed before the game thanks to Ecuador’s 2-1 victory over Mexico. Chile confirmed top spot of Group A in style as the Copa America hosts ensured they finish the group stages unbeaten.
It didn’t take long for Chile to open the scoring, Gary Medel sent a long ball forward which found Eduardo Vargas; he brought the ball down setting up Charles Aranguiz who found the bottom corner with a good finish in the 3rd minute.
Chile were comfortably the better side, coming close to doubling their lead but Alexis Sanchez was denied by the woodwork has his curling free kick bounced back off the crossbar.
Sanchez did however double the lead for Chile in the 37th minute, Jorge Valdivia found Sanchez with a pull back and Sanchez found the bottom corner with a superb diving header to score his first goal of the competition. A good move from the Chileans finished off by a brave finish from the Arsenal forward.
Chile went into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead, but the score line could have been anything with both side squandering good chances to score.
The second half started off slowly with chances few and far between, Bolivia looking bright but failing to test Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal. Chile’s defence holding their lead firmly, looking to increase the score on the counter.
Chile got their third of the game in the 66th minute, Angelo Henriquez found Aranguiz in space at the back post with a cross and the Internacional midfielder scored his second of the game from close range.
Gary Medel scored a wonderful goal to increase Chile’s lead to 4-0 in the 79th minute, the Inter Milan midfielder started the move off and continued his run into the box, Jorge Valdivia found Medel with a delightful through ball and Medel took a touch and lobbed Quinonez. An outstanding move from Chile; finished off by an outstanding finish from Medel.
Chile got their fifth goal of the game in the 86th as a low cross from Henriquez deflected off Bolivia captain Ronald Raldes and the ball looped over Quinonez and went in off the post.
One of the best performances of the competition from Chile as they eased past a Bolivia side who have impressed so far, however, Chile’s attack was too much of a task for the Bolivian defence, as Jorge Valdivia once again was a standout player for Chile, proving two assists in the game, the Palmeiras playmaker has been one of the players of the tournament so far. Chile finish top of Group A with an unbeaten record, Bolivia finish second place in the group, one of the surprise packages of the competition as they was the favourites to finish bottom of the group.
