SANTIAGO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas scored second-half goals as Chile defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the opening match of the Copa America here on Thursday.
Vidal converted a 67th-minute penalty before Vargas put the result beyond doubt six minutes from time after being set up by Alexis Sanchez.
Despite keeping the match on even terms for more than an hour, Ecuador rarely troubled Claudio Bravo's goal. Chile, meanwhile, provided a constant threat and, if not for Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, could have had the match wrapped up by halftime.
The hosts' attacking intent was evident from the outset in front of a partisan crowd at the Estadio Nacional. Veteran playmaker Jorge Valdivia put Sanchez through on goal in the second minute but the Arsenal man fired his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Sanchez had another chance moments later but his chipped effort was comfortably thwarted by Dominguez.
As expected, Jorge Sampaoli's team controlled possession as Ecuador were content to sit back and wait for their opportunities on the counterattack.
Mauricio Isla, Vidal and Sanchez, in particular, caused constant problems for Ecuador on the right.
But the hosts were unable to capitalize and they almost paid the price when Valdivia was dispossessed in his own area, allowing Fidel Martinez to unleash a thumping shot that was directed straight at Bravo.
Isla arguably had the best chance of the first half but the Queens Park Rangers wing-back misdirected his shot after being set up by Sanchez.
Ecuador looked more sprightly after the break as the speedy Jefferson Montero began to assert his influence on the left.
Enner Valencia also did his best to unnerve Chile's defence, sending one shot wide and then skipping past an onrushing Bravo only to see the ball race out of play.
The breakthrough for Chile finally came just after the hour when Vidal confidently converted his spot-kick after having his shirt pulled by Miller Bolanos.
Ecuador almost equalized via a Valencia header that hit the crossbar after Walter Ayovi's free-kick just outside the box rebounded off the wall.
Second-half substitute Renato Ibarra then gifted Chile their second goal when his errant pass went straight to Sanchez.
The former Barcelona attacker surged forward before passing to Vargas, who swept a low finish past Dominguez.