Alexis, Vargas braces lead Chile to Copa America quarterfinals

Follow for up-to-the-second updates as Chile and Panama vie for a place in the Copa America quarterfinals.

Reigning champion Chile will continue to defend its Copa America crown after punching a ticket to the quarterfinals with a 4-2 win over Panama at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas each scored twice, as Chile battled back from an early deficit to coast to the three points.

Chile just needed a draw, as it held a goal-differential edge over Los Canaleros entering the game, and Panama was supremely shorthanded. Starters Blas Perez, Anibal Godoy, Felipe Baloy and Armando Cooper were all suspended for card accumulation.

It started off well enough for Panama anyway, with Miguel Camargo's long-range blast being misplayed into the net by Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in the fifth minute. 

Camargo's hit from distance puts Panama in the driver's seat to make the #CopaAmerica quarterfinals. #CHIvPAN https://t.co/LNj1E8FFhC

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2016

After then, it was all Chile. Vargas scored in the 15th and 43rd minutes, and Sanchez added a spectacular volley off a pass from Vargas to make it 3-1 in the 50th.

Eduardo Vargas finds the perfect answer for Chile, who only need a draw to make the #CopaAmerica quarters. #CHIvPAN https://t.co/nlzdOI5RFo

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2016

HT: Chile 2, Panama 1. Vargas' brace wipes out Panama's early lead. The 1st lead change at #CopaAmerica! #CHIvPAN https://t.co/7DGPgqpU1s

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2016

#CHIvPAN: 50'. Alexis Sánchez anota el tercero para @LaRoja. #UDCentenario #Copa100 #CopaAmerica https://t.co/l3xsjr1ZF3

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) June 15, 2016

Panama did pull one back in the 76th minute through Abdiel Arroyo, but it was another fumble by Bravo on the goal line that allowed the ball to cross.

Claudio Bravo is not having himself a good night... #CHIvPAN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/35vFvd4Eag

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2016

Sanchez finished off the result with an 89th-minute header, erasing any hope Panama had at going through. 

.@Alexis_Sanchez grabs his second of the night to give Chile a 2-goal cushion. #CHIvPAN #MyCopaColors https://t.co/HUoUU2NAog

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 15, 2016

Follow along in the gamecast below for live updates, commentary, statistics and more. You can watch Chile-Panama and every other match of Copa America Centenario live in Spanish on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a 24-hour free trial.

Chile, barring a collapse of epic proportions by Argentina against Bolivia, will play Mexico in the quarterfinals.