Chile dominate Copa America best XI after Japan rout

 

Goalkeeper: Wuilker Farinez (Venezuela) - 7.77 rating 

 

Venezuela picked up a creditable point at Peru’s expense in their Group A opener as they held their adversaries to a 0-0 draw in Porto Alegre. It was largely due to the performance of young shotstopper Wuilker Farinez, who put in a man of the match display in the stalemate. Indeed, the 21-year-old made four saves, made six accurate long balls and returned a pass success rate of 74.1% as he landed a WhoScored rating of 7.77. 

 

Right-back: Mauricio Isla (Chile) - 8.16 rating 

 

Chile were rampant against Japan to round off the first round of group games and dominate this XI. Mauricio Isla is the first of five Chile players to make the grade in this side with the 31-year-old impressive in both defence and attack in the 4-0 win over Japan. The right-back provided an assist from two key passes and completed one dribble. Three tackles, three interceptions and three clearances helped Chile to a clean sheet and Isla to a WhoScored rating of 8.16. 

 

Centre-back: Guillermo Maripan (Chile) - 7.58 rating 

 

La Roja were solid at the back as they restricted Japan to just three shots on target with West Ham target Guillermo Maripan central to a fine rearguard showing. The 25-year-old won two aerial duels in the 4-0 victory and made four interceptions, three clearances and two tackles to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.58. 

 

Centre-back: Davinson Sanchez (Colombia) - 7.56 rating 

 

Partnering Maripan at the heart of the defence in this XI is Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez, who shone in their 2-0 win over Argentina to keep Messi and co. at bay. The young Tottenham defender found a teammate with 87% of his 54 attempted passes, which included eight accurate long balls, while five clearances and four tackles rounded off a fine showing as Sanchez gained a solid WhoScored rating of 7.56.  

 

Left-back: William Tesillo (Colombia) - 7.83 rating 

 

The second Colombia player to make the grade, William Tesillo joins compatriot Sanchez in this XI after his fine all-round showing from left-back against Argentina. The 29-year-old returned a WhoScored rating of 7.83 against Argentina as he broke forward with aplomb, completing four dribbles, and was defensively sound as he made two tackles, two interceptions and two clearances. 

 

Right midfield: Richarlison (Brazil) - 7.38 rating 

 

Copa America hosts Brazil have two players in this XI with Richarlison making the grade with a modest WhoScored rating of 7.38. The Everton star may not have been at his best, but he did complete four dribbles against Bolivia and drew four fouls in the 3-0 win while one tackle rounded off a solid showing. 

 

Central midfield: Erick Pulgar (Chile) - 9.70 rating 

 

Our player of the first round of fixtures with a WhoScored rating of 9.70, Erick Pulgar was sensational against Japan as he found the back of the net with one of his three shots. Defensively, the Bologna ace was everywhere as he made six tackles and six interceptions in the 4-0 win over Chile to go with his goal, while two successful dribbles helped cap a stunning outing. 

 

Chile dominate Copa America best XI after Japan rout

 

Central midfield: Coutinho (Brazil) - 9.57 rating 

 

Pipped to top spot as the Copa America player of the round, Coutinho earned our first WhoScored man of the match award of the tournament having scored twice from five shots in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Bolivia. On top of that, Coutinho was in fine form off the ball as he made more tackles (7) than any other player from the first round of Copa America fixtures as he gained a WhoScored rating of 9.57. 

 

Left midfield: Alexis Sanchez (Chile) - 8.97 rating 

 

Alexis Sanchez scored his first competitive goal since January in Chile’s 4-0 win over Japan, and provided the assist for La Roja’s fourth goal in the resounding victory. The 30-year-old’s goal came from one of four shots and assist from one of three key passes. One dribble and one tackle saw Alexis land a WhoScored rating of 8.97. 

 

Striker: Luis Suarez (Uruguay) - 8.50 rating 

 

The sole Uruguay representative, Luis Suarez put in a man of the match display as they secured a 4-0 win over Ecuador. The Barcelona forward hit the back of the net with one of six shots and provided an assist from one of two key passes in the resounding victory to help secure a WhoScored rating of 8.50. 

 

Striker: Eduardo Varga (Chile) - 8.59 rating

 

Rounding off the best XI from the first round of group games is Chile forward Eduardo Vargas. The striker netted twice - no player scored more - from three shots and won two aerial duels in the win over Japan. The 29-year-old led the line well as he yielded a WhoScored rating of 8.59.

Chile dominate Copa America best XI after Japan rout