Chile routs Bolivia to finish 1st in its Copa America group

Santiago, Chile: Charles Aranguiz scored twice and Alexis Sanchez added another goal on Friday to help Copa America host Chile defeat Bolivia 5-0 and advance from the group stage in first place.

Bolivia also secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the South American tournament despite the rout, finishing second in Group A. Chile reached seven points, three more than Bolivia and four more than Ecuador, which earlier Friday defeated Mexico 2-1. Mexico was eliminated with two points.

Ecuador can still advance depending on other results. The top two teams in each of the three groups advance to the quarterfinals, in addition to the two-best third-place finishers.

By advancing in first place, Chile gets to stay in Santiago for the quarterfinals, while Bolivia will head to Temuco. It is the first time in five Copa America editions that Bolivia has advanced from the group stage.

Aranguiz opened the scoring a with a right-footed shot from inside the area less than three minutes into the match at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez, and Sanchez scored his first goal of the tournament in the 37th, heading in a right-side cross by playmaker Jorge Valdivia. Just a few minutes earlier Sanchez had struck the post with a well-struck free kick shot.

Aranguiz scored his second goal from close range in the 66th, and Gary Medel added to the lead with a shot over Bolivia goalkeeper Romel Quinonez in the 79th after another set up by Valdivia.