- In 2016, Chile won the CONMEBOL Copa América Centenario™, his second continental title.
- La Roja had the MVP, the best goalkeeper, and the tournament's top scorer.
In 2016, the CONMEBOL Copa América™ was played for the first time outside of South America. It was held in the United States with 16 teams: the 10 from CONMEBOL were joined by 6 Concacaf invitees. The same host country and the same number of teams as in the 2024 edition.
Under the guidance of Argentine Juan Antonio Pizzi, Chile had a debut with defeat in the tournament: it was against Argentina by 2-1. The goals for Albiceleste came through Banega and Di María, while Fuenzalida scored the consolation goal for La Roja. Both teams had faced each other in the final of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2015™, where the Chilean team won in a penalty shootout and claimed their first continental title.
Subsequent victories against Bolivia (2-1) and Panama (4-2, with Vargas scoring his first goals in the tournament) ensured Chile's qualification for the quarterfinals.
On June 18, Chile would play its standout match of the tournament: at Levi’s Stadium (where two matches of the CONMEBOL Copa América United States 2024™ will be played), they shone by defeating Mexico 7-0. Eduardo Vargas had his dream game, scoring four goals in just 30 minutes.
In the tournament's semifinals, La Roja prevailed 2-0 against Colombia to advance to the final, where they would once again meet Argentina.
That final took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Argentina and Chile will meet again in 2024 for the second match of Group A. It ended in a scoreless draw and again went to penalties: Francisco Silva scored the decisive goal to give La Roja their second title in the CONMEBOL Copa América™.
The Chilean team not only won the title but also dominated the individual awards: Alexis Sánchez won the tournament's Golden Ball for best player, while Claudio Bravo won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper, and Eduardo Vargas was the tournament's top scorer with 6 goals.
Eight years had passed since Chile's last title in a CONMEBOL Copa América™. How will the team fare under the guidance of Ricardo Gareca in 2024?
-Chile in the Copa América Centenario 2016-
Group Stage:
June 6: Argentina 2-1 Chile (Banega and Di María/Fuenzalida)
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
June 10: Chile 2-1 Bolivia (Vidal x2/Campos)
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
June 14: Chile 4-2 Panama (Vargas x2 and Alexis Sánchez x2/Camargo and Arroyo)
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
Quarterfinals:
June 18: Chile 7-0 Mexico (Vargas x4, Puch x2, and Alexis Sánchez) Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
Semifinals:
June 22: Chile 2-0 Colombia (Aránguiz and Fuenzalida)
Stadium: Soldier Field
Final:
June 26: Chile-0 (4)-0 (2) Argentina
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
