With the triumph, the holder booked a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. Chile took the lead in the eighth minute when Jose Fuenzalida volleyed into the net. But Ecuador was awarded a penalty as goalkeeper Gabriel Arias clattered Jhegson Mendez, allowing Enner Valencia to level from the spot in the 26th minute.
Sanchez, who had ended a barren five-month spell by scoring in Monday’s 4-0 win against Japan, put Chile ahead early in the second half, expertly guiding a bouncing cross into the net. Ecuador, which was hammered 0-4 by Uruguay in its first game, rarely threatened again and saw defender Gabriel Achilier receive a straight red card in stoppage time for a rash tackle on Arturo Vidal, who had to be taken off.
Sanchez later revealed he had been playing with an ankle injury, which he sustained in the first half. “After a cross, I rolled my ankle but I put a bandage on it. I took a pill for the pain and I came out again,” he told reporters. “I think I have a sprain. I was playing with pain, but I hope it’s not too serious.” Chile coach Reinaldo Rueda praised Sanchez for playing on, adding that the ankle was not the same one he injured in May. “He was evaluated by the doctors at half-time, who said he could continue. He made a huge effort in the second half,” said the gaffer.
“We’ll evaluate it again, but we hope it isn’t serious.” Chile, Copa champion in 2015 and 2016, leads Group C on six points. Uruguay is second on four, with Japan third on one and Ecuador bottom with no points.
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