Eduardo Vargas brace leads Chile past Panama and into Copa quarters

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:58 am

Chile advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa America with a 4-2 win against Panama on Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

Panama needed a win to knock the defending Copa champions out of the tournament and started brightly when Miguel Camargo's long-range shot skipped underneath Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to give the underdogs an early 1-0 lead.

However, Chile struck back quickly to level the score at 1-1. Alexis Sanchez got free in the Panama penalty area, and his well-hit shot was parried away by Jaime Penedo right into the path of Eduardo Vargas who tapped home.

Chile's Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez celebrate after scoring a goal against Panama.
Chile's Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez celebrate after scoring a goal against Panama.
AP Images

Vargas scored his second goal of the first half in the 43rd minute heading home a pinpoint cross from Jean Beausejour.

Chile extended their lead in the 50th minute, when Sanchez powered a volley past Penedo from a Vargas cross to make it 3-1.

Bravo misplayed a headed effort from Panama's Abdiel Arroyo in the 75th minute to trim Chile's lead back to one goal.

With Panama chasing the two goals they needed to beat Chile, Sanchez struck again with a header from close range that padded the scoreline and put the match out of reach for Hernan Darío Gomez's side.

Chile will face Group B winners Mexico in the quarterfinals on Saturday, June 18 (10 p.m. ET on FS1), while Panama are eliminated from the tournament.