The Barcelona goalkeeper has reached the final of the Copa America with Chile after his team beat Peru 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final encounter
It was a fascinating clash at Estadio Nacional de Chile as 10-men Peru’s hopes of winning a third Copa America crown were dashed after a 2-1 defeat to host nation Chile.
Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo played the whole game but it was Eduardo Vargas that stole the show of the night.
The star’s stunning strike from yards out sent Chile into their first Copa America final since 1987, after a controversial red card to Peru’s Carlos Zambrano gave the tournament hosts a huge advantage.
The Referee of the game, Jose Argote expelled Zambrano in the first half, leaving Peru to play more than 70% of the game with 10 players and.
However, Peru did not make it easy for the host and delivered a brave performance but Chile eventually prevailed 2-1 in Santiago thanks to a brace from Napoli’s Eduardo Vargas.
Vargas opened the scoring on 42 minute – scoring from a scramble in the box after scuffing his initial shot before rolling the ball past Peru’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Peru fought hard and were rewarded in the second half after Chile’s Gary Medel had the ball in his own net to make it 1-1 but it was Vargas’ day.
The striker scored a goal on 64 minutes that may be considered as the goal of the tournament firing a curling shot from distance that left Peru’s goalkeeper reeling. 2-1 it ended in Chile’s favour.
That goal proved crucial as it sent the hosts into their first ever Copa America final in 28 years.
Bravo’s Chile set up a Copa America final clash with the winner of the Argentina-Paraguay game while Peru will take part in the third place playoff.
