Alexis Sanchez scores in Chile thumping of Bolivia at Copa America

Chile put down an almighty marker and moved on from the Arturo Vidal controversy by thumping Bolivia 5-0 to secure a place in the quarter-finals and top spot in Group A.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side came into their final group game under the cloud of Vidal’s drink driving charge and trashing of his Ferrari on Tuesday night, but came out of it with the biggest win of the tournament so far - underlining his challenge as Copa contenders.

Charles Aranguiz netted the opener after just three minutes, with a diving header from Alexis Sanchez putting Chile 2-0 up at the break. Sampaoli withdrew both Sanchez and Vidal at half-time with one eye surely on the quarter-finals, but it did little to stem his side’s momentum.

Eduardo Vargas, Gary Medel and an own goal from Bolivian captain Ronald Raldes all found the net in the second half to cap what was an emphatic victory for the Lone Star, and perhaps the best team display of the tournament so far.

3’ GOAL! Chile 1 Bolivia 0: The hosts have an early lead! A long ball towards Vargas is knocked down to Aranguiz, who slams home the finish to make it 1-0.

20’ THAT WASN'T FAR AWAY! Sanchez lines up the freekick from the edge of the box down the left channel. The Arsenal man gets plenty whip on his strike, but it flashes past the near post.

32’ OFF THE WOODWORK! Sanchez takes the freekick and curls a right-footed shot towards the target. His effort has Quinonez completely beaten, but it comes back off the post.

37’ GOAL! Chile 2 Bolivia 0: Chile have doubled their advantage, and it's Sanchez! Valdivia clipped a cross into the Arsenal man, who found the corner of the net with a diving header.

42’ THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A THIRD! Chile come flying forward on the counter, with Valdivia playing a cross into Vargas - who took a touch to create some space for himself eight yards out. But he stuck his low shot wide.

66’ GOAL! Chile 3 Bolivia 0: And there's the third for Chile. Henriquez squares a pass right across the face of goal and Aranguiz bundles home the finish at the back post.

79’ GOAL! Chile 4 Bolivia 0: And that's the best of the lot. What a goal. The ball was chipped over the top for Medel, who took the pass well and lobbed over the goalkeeper.

86’ GOAL! Chile 5 Bolivia 0: That's really tough on Raldes and Bolivia. The cross came into the box from Henriquez and Raldes flicks the ball over the keeper and into the net off the post.

Until now Argentina’s first half display against Paraguay was probably the best performance of the tournament so far. However, that game was completely undermined by the fact that Tata Martino’s men collapsed in the second half, losing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2. This was a sustained performance all the way through by Chile, not allowing Bolivia a chance to settle on the ball or create any opportunities of their own at any point of the match. This is now the gold standard for the 2015 Copa America.

He might have been one of the only attacking Chile players to not get on the scoresheet, but Valdivia was the star man of their thumping 5-0 win over Bolivia. Of course, a number of players could have picked up the MOTM award, but Valdivia was involved in pretty much everything good Sampaoli’s side did well.

Chile - Bravo 5, Isla 6, Medel 7, Jara 7, Beausejour 6, Aranguiz 8, Diaz 7, Vidal 7, Sanchez 8, Vargas 8, Valdivia 9. Subs - Fernandez 6, Pizarro 5, Henriquez 7.

Bolivia - Quinonez 6, Rodriguez 6, Raldes 5, Coimbra 5, Morales 5, Veizaga 6, Chumacero 5, Smedberg 5, Pedriel 4, Escobar 4, Moreno 6. Subs - Miranda 5, Lizio, Bejarano.