Football
2015 Copa América, Group Stage 2015
CHI 
5
FT
 BOL
0
ESPN staff 9y

Chile put five past Bolivia to finish atop Group A

Charles Aranguiz scored twice as hosts Chile capped a tumultuous week with a quarterfinal-clinching 5-0 defeat of Bolivia in their final Group A game at the Copa America on Friday.

Shaking off the controversy surrounding midfielder Arturo Vidal's drunk-driving accident on Wednesday, Jorge Sampaoli's squad produced a dominant performance to beat the Bolivians at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.

Alexis Sanchez and Gary Medel also netted for Chile, before Bolivia captain Ronald Raldes capped a miserable night for his team by scoring an own goal.

Both teams were assured of progress after Ecuador's defeat of Mexico earlier on Friday -- but top position in Group A was up for grabs at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos.

There was little doubt about the outcome once Aranguiz had opened the scoring in the third minute, drilling past goalkeeper Romel Quinonez after Eduardo Vargas had knocked down Medel's long ball.

Sanchez struck the post in the 20th minute and he did the same thing with another free-kick 10 minutes later.

However, shortly after Jorge Valdivia had seen penalty claims waved away, the Arsenal striker got the goal he richly deserved.

Sanchez won possession just inside the Bolivia half in the 37th minute, advanced and passed to Valdivia, who returned the ball quickly for the 26-year-old to net with a diving header.

It could have been 3-0 soon after when Mauricio Isla set up Vargas -- but he failed to find the target from 12 yards, then Jean Beausejour fired powerfully over in the 42nd minute as the hosts finished the half well on top, to the delight of a vociferous crowd.

Bolivia's only chance of note came in the 49th minute -- but Marcelo Martins' shot was weakly struck and easily saved by Claudio Bravo.

Chile put the game beyond their opponents in the 66th minute when Angelo Henriquez crossed for Aranguiz to net his second goal from close range.

It was 4-0 with 10 minutes remaining when Medel got on the scoresheet in style. Played in by an incisive ball from Valdivia, he controlled the ball with his chest before coolly lobbing over Quinonez.

And Chile were gifted a fifth goal in the 86th minute when Raldes turned a Henriquez cross from the right into his own net.

They will be back at the same venue on Wednesday night, when they will take on one of the best third-placed teams.

The win puts Chile atop Group A with seven points. Bolivia sit in second with four, while Ecuador finished with three and Mexico, who were eliminated on Friday, sit bottom with just two.

Press Association contributed to this report.

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