Chile reach last eight

With both sides reduced to 10 men after Chile's Jean Beausejour and Giancarlo Carmona of Peru were sent off in the second period for raising their hands, Chile claimed the win when the ball hit off Peru defender Aldo Corzo before landing in the net two minutes into stoppage time.

The victory takes them to seven points and ensures they will avoid facing host nation Argentina in the last eight with Peru set to face the former world champions on Saturday.

Chile made six changes for the match with Peru making nine changes as they went into the final group game locked on four points knowing they would be guaranteed a spot in the last eight even if they lost the match.

Chile had enjoyed a 2-1 win over Mexico before being held to a 1-1 draw with Uruguay while Peru had drawn 1-1 with Uruguay and downed Mexico 1-0 in their second group game.

In the end, Chile were deserving victors of this match, but will pay a heavy price in the knock-out stages if they fail to find a cutting edge.

Beausejour was sent off for a spot of jostling off the ball around the hour mark, but he was involved early on as he almost set up Esteban Paredes for the opening goal on 11 minutes as his team-mate narrowly failed to connect with a cross.

Humberto Suazo then saw a shot deflect inches wide of the target before he flashed a volley wide of the Peru goal on 34 minutes from Beausejour's cross.

Peru's best chance of the half arrived on 36 minutes when Waldo Ponce let Michael Guevara's free-kick fly past him as Josepmir Ballon nudged a shot wide of the goal arriving at the back post.

With both sides down to 10 men and Barcelona target Alexis Sanchez introduced to the action by Chile in the closing stages, chances came and went at both ends as William Chiroque dragged a shot wide of the target on 70 minutes before Ponce nodded wide at the other end.

Luis Jimenez blew a golden chance for Chile when he headed wide of the target with the goal gaping on 86 minutes, but it was not to prove fatal to their hopes of three points to top the group.