Copa America: Defending champions Chile cruises 4-0 against Japan

ANI  |  Football 

Defending champions started their Copa America campaign with a win against 4-0 in their opening match in the group C on Tuesday here at Sau Paulo.

who travelled with the young side in the tournament failed to register a win against much experienced Chile's team.

started attacking Japan's defence after the 30th minute of the game as fired two attempts which went off the target.

For Chile, started scoring before the final minutes of the first half. Pulgar scored in the 41st minute by converting ball to goal through the header, giving a lead of 1-0. No further goal was scored by the end of the half.

doubled their lead to 2-0 just after the nine minutes of play in the second half. Vargas who struck from the edge of the area got deflected and landed in the goalpost.

Japan's Takefusa Kubo, signed by Real Madrid last week, also had an opportunity to score but the ball missed the target and hit on the side-net.

Although Chile's win was confirmed after their 2-0 lead, Sanchez and Vargas had other plans as they doubled it to 4-0.

Vargas scored two goals in the match while Pulgar and Sanchez netted one goal each.

Chile will next play against on June 21, while will face on June 20.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, June 18 2019. 09:49 IST