Deyna Castellanos was the star of the show for Venezuela as she scored four goals at the Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo.

Ysaura Viso chipped in with a hat-trick, while Oriana Altuve also got on the scoresheet in a rampant performance from the Venezuelan side.

The result handed Venezuela a second straight win and they sit second in Group B on goal difference, with defending champions Brazil currently occupying top spot.

The other match played in the group today was also a high-scoring affair as Argentina won a nine-goal thriller against Ecuador at the same venue.

Argentina, who were hoping to bounce back after they were beaten by arch-rivals Brazil in their opening game, were 3-0 up inside 10 minutes.

Ecuador reduced the deficit to one goal but Argentina scored twice more before half-time to lead 5-2 at the break.

Suany Fajardo gave Ecuador a glimmer of hope 14 minutes from time before Florencia Bonsegundo added a sixth late on to complete a thrilling win.

Argentina are third in the group behind Venezuela and Brazil.

The tournament continues tomorrow as Colombia face Peru and Chile take on Uruguay in Group A.

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.