Let us say hello to Eduardo Vargas, the top scorer at the Copa America with four goals, who will look to fire hosts Chile to a first title in the tournament’s 99-year history on Saturday night in Santiago.
Unstoppable
Vargas scored twice on Monday night as hosts Chile beat 10-man Peru 2-1 to book a spot in the Copa America final for the first time since 1987. He scored the first from close range but, after Peru had equalised, he produced a contender for goal of the tournament in the 64th minute, when he let fly with an unstoppable shot from 30 yards that ripped past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Long-range practice
“I’ve been practising shooting from long range in training and doing quite well with them,” Vargas said. “So when I found myself in that position I had the confidence to shoot. I’m very happy that we’re in the final.”
Miserable season
Vargas’s heroics come after a difficult season for the forward. Last year he was loaned from Serie A outfit Napoli to struggling English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, where he endured a miserable season as the Loftus Road-based club finished bottom of the table. He scored just four times in 21 games and did not play again after being injured in March.
Incredible dream
Leading Chile to the final was a dream come true for coach Jorge Sampaoli, who felt relief after the hosts overcame nerves in the semi-final. “It was our obligation to get Chile to the final, we knew it from the first moment,” Sampaoli said. “It’s an incredible dream and even more so as hosts.”
Dominant
The last time Chile were in the Copa America final was in 1987 when they lost to Uruguay. The Chileans have been dominant from the start of this year’s tournament, playing at home with their best team in years. Chile, Venezuela and Ecuador are the only teams yet to win the South American championship. Chile will play either Argentina or Paraguay in the final.
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