Hosts Chile have started their Copa America campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas.

The pressure is on Chile to challenge the likes of Argentina and Brazil for their first title, and they dominated for long spells before eventually finding a breakthrough.

Alexis Sanchez was a threat throughout the early stages of the game, and he twice came close to finding an opener when he poked wide and saw Alexander Dominguez keep out his lobbed effort.

Fidel Martinez came closest to scoring for Ecuador in the first half when his strike from outside the box forced Claudio Bravo into a fine save.

Chile wasted another opening when Sanchez fired wide again, before Ecuador threatened after the break when Jefferson Montero found Enner Valencia, whose effort drifted a few inches wide of the post.

However, the game's vital moment went in Chile's favour as Vidal broke into the box before going down under a pull from Bolanos to force the referee to point to the spot.

The Juventus midfielder took on the responsibility from 12 yards to give the hosts the advantage with an emphatic finish.

Despite being the better side for much of the game, Chile were left breathing a huge sigh of relief late on when Valencia headed against the crossbar with Bravo beaten.

Chile took full advantage a few moments later when Sanchez picked the perfect pass to set up Vargas, who fired past Dominguez, and despite losing Matias Fernandez to a second yellow card in stoppage time, the hosts secured the win.