Two-time defending champion Chile opened its Copa America campaign with a 4-0 win over guest Japan on Monday, with Eduardo Vargas scoring a pair of goals to become Chile's all-time leading scorer in the South American competition.
Erick Pulgar and Alexis Sanchez also scored for the titleholders, which are trying to become the first nation to win three straight Copa titles since Argentina in the late 1940s.
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Two-time defending champion Chile opened its Copa America campaign with a 4-0 win over guest Japan on Monday, with Eduardo Vargas scoring a pair of goals to become Chile's all-time leading scorer in the South American competition.
The victory at the Morumbi Stadium moved Chile to the top of Group C along with Uruguay, which opened with a 4-0 win over Ecuador on Sunday.
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Japan's Teruki Hara, front, and Chile's Alexis Sanchez jump for the ball during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoAndre Penner)
Chile's Eduardo Vargas, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoVictor R. Caivano)
Chile's Eduardo Vargas, center, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoVictor R. Caivano)
Japan's goalkeeper Keisuke Osako fails to stop Chile's Eduardo Vargas from scoring his side's second goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoNelson Antoine)
Vargas scored in each half to reach 12 goals with Chile in the tournament, two more than Enrique Hormazabal.
Chile's Eduardo Vargas, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammates Jose Fuenzalida, left, and Mauricio Isla during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Japan at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoNelson Antoine)
The victory at the Morumbi Stadium moved Chile to the top of Group C along with Uruguay, which opened with a 4-0 win over Ecuador on Sunday.
Japan, playing as a Copa America guest for the second time, brought to Brazil a young squad focused on the Olympic tournament at home next year.
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Chile's Erick Pulgar, center, scores his side's opening goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match against Japan at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoVictor R. Caivano)
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Chile's Charles Aranguiz, left, and Japan's Teruki Hara, compete for the ball during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoNelson Antoine)
Japan's Teruki Hara, front, and Chile's Alexis Sanchez jump for the ball during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoAndre Penner)
Chile's Eduardo Vargas, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoVictor R. Caivano)
Chile's Eduardo Vargas, center, celebrates scoring his side's second goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoVictor R. Caivano)
Japan's goalkeeper Keisuke Osako fails to stop Chile's Eduardo Vargas from scoring his side's second goal during a Copa America Group C soccer match at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 17, 2019. (AP PhotoNelson Antoine)