Chile reaches the top for the first time in 2015

• La Roja won their first CONMEBOL Copa América™ when they hosted the tournament in 2015.
• This was the seventh time Chile hosted the continental tournament, having last done so in 1991.

Chile was crowned champion of CONMEBOL Copa América™ for the first time in history during the 2015 edition. They defeated Argentina 4-1 on penalties in the Final, finally bringing the precious continental trophy home and jump-starting the success of their golden generation, who would also win the title a year later in the CONMEBOL Copa América Centenario™.

Eight Chilean cities hosted the attractive tournament, with the National Stadium in Santiago and the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium in Concepción hosting the most important matches, the Semifinals, the third place match, and the Final.

La Roja was led by Jorge Sampaoli, with players such as Claudio Bravo, Mauricio Isla, Alexis Sánchez, Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas, Matías Fernández, Gary Medel, and Charles Aránguiz.

In the Group Stage, they won 2-0 against Ecuador, drew 3-3 with Mexico, and defeated Bolivia 5-0. In the Quarterfinals, they left Uruguay behind with a 1-0 win, in the Semis they overcame Peru 2-1, and they took the title by defeating Argentina 4-1 on penalties in the Final, after a goalless draw in regular time.

Once again, 12 teams participated in the competition: Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; the host Chile; Colombia; Ecuador; Paraguay; Peru; Uruguay; and Venezuela as the traditional representatives of CONMEBOL, along with Jamaica and Mexico, invited teams from Concacaf.

A total of 26 matches were played and 59 goals were scored, an average of 2.27 goals per match. The top scorer recognition of this edition was shared by two great players from the continent, Eduardo Vargas of Chile and Paolo Guerrero of Peru, both with four goals.

Besides Chile, the teams that advanced to the Quarterfinals were Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. La Albiceleste was the most outstanding of these teams, reaching the Final under the direction of Gerardo Martino and in an undefeated manner.

 

Chile’s road to the title

 

Group Stage

Chile 2-0 Ecuador

• CHI goals: Arturo Vidal (66’), Eduardo Vargas (83’)

Chile 3-3 Mexico

• CHI goals: Arturo Vidal (21’), Eduardo Vargas (41’), Arturo Vidal (54’)
• MEX goals: Matías Vuoso (20’, 65’), Raúl Jiménez (28’)

Chile 5-0 Bolivia

• CHI goals: Charles Aránguiz (2’, 65’), Alexis Sánchez (36’), Gary Medel (78’), Ronald Raldes (85’)

 

Final Stage

Chile 1-0 Uruguay – Quarterfinals

• CHI goal: Mauricio Isla (80’)

Chile 2-1 Peru – Semifinals

• CHI goals: Eduardo Vargas (41’, 63’)
• PER goal: Gary Medel (OG 60’)

Chile (4) 0-0 (1) Argentina – Final

 

CONMEBOL.com / OPTA