Brazil began their pursuit of a third straight title at the South American Football Confederation event in impressive fashion at the Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso.

Beatriz Zanerratto put Brazil into the lead in the 17th minute of the match, giving them the advantage at half-time.

Argentina responded after the break with Estefanía Banini producing an excellent free kick to get them back on level terms.

The defending champions would not be denied victory, however, as Cristiane put Brazil back in front 11 minutes after the break.

Brazil sealed the win in the closing moments, with Débinha sealing a 3-1 success in the final minute of injury time.

The Brazilian team joined Venezuela at the top of Group B after earning a 1-0 success against Ecuador.

Deyna Castellanos, instrumental in leading her country to fourth place at the 2016 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, proved the match-winner.

Castellanos found the net with five minutes of the match remaining  with Ecuador unable to muster a response.

Group B contains reigning champions Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Hosts Chile feature in Group A alongside Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Peru.

Colombia will hope to build on their 7-0 win over Uruguay when they take on hosts Chile tomorrow.

Peru are due to play their first match of the tournament when they face Paraguay.

The teams are scheduled to play each other once in the group stage in the hope of ending in one of the top two spots, which will put them through to the final stage.

The tournament champion will qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and the Pan American Games in Lima next year. 

The second team will also qualify for the World Cup and Pan American Games, but will only be given an Olympic qualification playoff spot, where they will come up against an African team.

The third place team will be given a World Cup play-off place, where they would face a team from the Americas, and a spot at Lima 2019.

The team bottom of the final table will be out of Olympic and World Cup contention and will have to settle for just a slot at the Pan American Games.