Chile into Copa America final after controversial win over Peru

Chile are just 90 minutes away from winning their first ever Copa America title after beating Peru 2-1 in a controversial semi-final in Santiago.

La Roja will have the chance to win the Copa America for the first time in the tournament’s 99-year history on Saturday when they will face either Argentina or Paraguay, although their win over rivals Peru was far from straightforward.

Both sides started off well, but the dynamic of the match changed with the dismissal of Carlos Zambrano for a knee into the back of Charles Aranguiz, with Chile subsequently taking the lead through Eduardo Vargas just before the break.

However, Peru restored parity just after the hour mark when Gary Medel forced a wicked Jefferson Farfan cross into his own net with an outstretched leg. Chile responded emphatically though, with Vargas arrowing a long-range strike into the top corner to ultimately give his side a 2-1 win and a place in Saturday’s final.

6’ BIG CALL: The referee has a decision to make right from the off. Vidal raised his hands to the face of Zambrano.He pushed the Peruvian's face away from him. Not even a yellow, but that could have been red.

12’ OFF THE POST! Peru come within inches of taking the lead. Guerrero whips a wonderful cross into the penalty area for Farfan to attack, but his head can only find the outside of the post.

18’ INTO THE SIDE NETTING! That wasn't far away. The ball is played back to Lobaton about 25 yards out, with the midfielder lashing a strike at goal. But it only finds the set netting of Bravo's goal.

21’ SENT OFF! Carlos Zambrano (Peru). Peru have been reduced to 10 men! The referee caught Zambrano putting a knee into the back of Aranguiz and decided that it was a red card offence. Was that harsh?

27’ ONLY JUST OVER THE BAR! Gallese punches clear a Chile set piece delivery into the box, but Valdivia takes the rebound on the bounce and sends the ball only just over the target.

31’ INCHES PAST THE POST! Valdivia takes control of the ball after a pass from Sanchez on the edge of the box. But with his right foot he could only send the effort wide of the far post.

37’ A GOAL-SAVING BLOCK! Isla crosses into the six yard box, with Vargas seemingly set to finish into the gaping net at the back post. But Advincula throws himself at the shot to make the block.

42’ GOAL! Chile 1 Peru 0: The hosts have a valuable lead! Sanchez's cross is touched on to the post by Aranguiz and Vargas scrambles home the rebound in unfashionable manner.

54’ SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER! That should have given Bravo much more of a problem than it actually did. Farfan wins the header but directs it straight at the keeper and with little purchase.

61’ GOAL! Chile 1 Peru 1: We have an equaliser! At odds with everything, Peru are level! Farfan plays a wonderful cross into the box and Guerrero pokes the finish past Bravo.

64’ GOAL! Chile 2 Peru 1: The hosts are back in the lead, and in what style! He smashed that into the back of the net from about 25 yards out. The dip on that was incredible! Wooft!

79’ ONLY JUST OVER! Valdivia picks out the run of Sanchez in behind the Peruvian backline. His touch set up the shot from a tight angle, but he fires an effort just over the crossbar.

80’ NOT FAR AWAY! That would have been an absolute rip-roarer. The ball fell to Vidal just inside the box, but he smashed his strike just over the angle of the crossbar and post. What a hit.

91’ BIG SAVE FROM GALLESE! Chile have so many players forward, with Gutierrez picking out Vidal at the back post. He opted for power with his shot and the keeper makes the stop.

Eduardo Vargas has scored four goals in his first five Copa America matches. No Chilean has done that since Ivan Zamorano (between 1987 and1991).

Peru has had the second most players sent off (26) in Copa America history, behind only Uruguay.

Chile are into their fifth Copa America final: 1955, 1956, 1979, 1987 and 2015.

The entire contest hinged on this decision from referee Jose Argote to send off the Peruvian defender for a studded tackle into the back of Aranguiz. Some might have seen the incident as merely an unfortunate follow through from a clearance, but the referee saw it as a malicious attempt to injure the Chilean player, and so flashed a straight red card at Zambrano. Was that the right decision? Were Peru justified in their grievances?

The Napoli striker scored one of the best goals of the tournament so far - finding the top corner with a cracking strike from distance - but Vargas’ performance was about much more than just that astonishing moment. Vargas was the one running the channels, giving the Peruvian defence constant problems with his movement and dynamism. Alexis Sanchez wasn’t at his best, but it didn't matter given the standard of Vargas’ display.

Chile - Bravo 6, Isla 7, Medel 4, Rojas 5, Albornoz 5, Diaz 5, Vidal 7, Aranguiz 6, Sanchez 7, Valdivia 7, Vargas 9. Subs - Mena 5, Pizarro 6, Gutierrez.

Peru - Gallese 7, Advincula 7, Ascues 6, Zambrano 4, Vargas 5, Lobaton 5, Sanchez 6, Ballon 5, Cueva 4, Guerrero 6, Pizarro 5. Subs - Carillo 6, Ramos 5, Yotun.