Chile open Copa América with home win over Ecuador

Chile celebrate after opening the Copa America in fine style ©Getty Images

Hosts Chile opened their pursuit of a first Copa América title with a comfortable victory over Ecuador in Santiago, with goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas ensuring a 2-0 triumph.

The Chileans, who lost on penalties to Brazil at the round of 16 stage at last year's FIFA World Cup, are highly fancied by some to end their poor record at major tournaments which has seen them never win in the 99-year history of the continental tournament.

In a side packed with stars, leading the way was Alexis Sanchez, who led English-side Arsenal to the FA Cup title at the end of last month, and Vidal, who returned home fresh from leading Italian giants Juventus in last week's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

The two combined with several early chances, before Vidal opened the scoring from the penalty spot with an unstoppable top-corner effort before half time after being brought down cheaply by Miller Bolanos.

Napoli's Vargas made it two with six minutes left, clinically stroking home after Sanchez capitalised on some poor Ecuadorian defending.

West Ham's Enner Valencia enjoyed Ecuador's best chance, striking the cross-bar with a close range header, but his team were second best throughout the match.

Arturo Vidal celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot ©Getty Images

A rare disappointment for Chile came late on, when Matias Fernandez was dismissed for two yellow cards.

The hosts are considered third favourites behind Brazil and Argentina, with the side having finished runners-up on four occasions, most recently in 1987 when they lost a final 1-0 against Uruguay in Buenos Aires.

The top two sides from each of the three groups will progress to the quarter-finals, along with the best two third-placed teams, in a tournament predominantly for South American teams but with several North and Central American nations participating.

Chile and Ecuador are joined by Mexico and Bolivia in Group A, with the latter two meeting in Viña del Mar tomorrow.

Uruguay, Argentina, Jamaica and Paraguay are in Group B, while Brazil are up against Colombia, Venezuela and Peru in Group C.

Group stage action will continue over the next two weeks, before knock-out matches begin.

The competition is set to conclude on July 4 with a final in Santiago.