Chile Soccer: A Look at Chile's History Playing at Home at Copa America
Chile fans, rejoice! Your team has made it to the finals of the Copa America.
After winning Group A over Mexico, Bolivia, and Ecuador, Chile defeated both Uruguay and Peru in thrilling knockout round games. This is Chile's fifth time in the finals. Not only is Chile playing in the finals, but they are the host nation this year. The last country to win it all on home soil was Colombia in 2001 when they defeated Mexico.
Let's take a little trip through time and explore just how Chile has done as the host nation in the past. Chile has been the host country of the Copa America seven times including this year dating back 1920. Unfortunately Chile has never been able to bring home the gold as they are 0-4 in the finals.
Here are the previous six Copa America years, winners and Chile finishes where Chile was the host nation.
1920: Uruguay wins. Chile placed fourth.
1926: Uruguay wins. Chile placed third.
1941: Argentina wins. Chile placed third.
1945: Argentina wins. Chile placed third.
1955: Argentina wins. Chile placed second.
1991: Argentina wins. Chile placed third.
Historically speaking, Chile has done very well at the Copa America when it's played on their home soil. Chile has placed third four times, fourth once and had a second place finish to Argentina in 1955.
Without a doubt the biggest and most glaringly obvious trend is Argentina's dominance in Chile. The last four Copa Americas that have been played in Chile have resulted in Argentinian championships. Chile has been Argentina's "home away from home" when it comes to the Copa America. Lionel Messi and Argentina will be playing Chile in the championship. Uh oh.
In Chile's first two home Copa Americas, they witnessed Uruguay win it all on their home soil. Uruguay is the single most successful national team at this event with 15 championships, but Chile was able to get revenge this year. Chile eliminated Uruguay in the quarterfinals in a thrilling 1-0 game thanks to a goal from Mauricio Isla.
Eduardo Vargas scored two goals against Peru in a 2-1 victory in the semifinals to secure Chile's fifth finals appearance. Now, team captain Claudio Bravo and company will be playing in their fifth finals and second ever finals at home. The only other time that Chile made the finals when hosting this tournament was 1955. They squared off against Argentina in the final game, but Rodolfo Micheli scored the only goal securing a 1-0 championship victory for Argentina.
It's pretty safe to say that Chile's fans will be pulling for Paraguay to defeat Argentina in the semifinals. Although Paraguay was in last year's Copa America final, they appear to be a better matchup for Chile than Argentina.
Chile has also made the finals in 1956 in Uruguay, 1979 with no fixed host, and 1987 in Argentina.
It's now 2015, and Chile is looking to deliver the goods at home for the first time ever.
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