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Copa America 2016: Argentina edges Chile

By The Sports Xchange

Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega each scored one goal and set up another, guiding Argentina to a 2-1 win over Chile on Monday in Copa America Group D play at Santa Clara, Calif.

Di Maria opened the scoring in the 51st minute off a pass from Banega. The same two hooked up in the 59th minute, with Di Maria assisting Banega for a 2-0 lead.

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In second-half stoppage time, Chilean substitute Jose Fuenzlida scored a goal that could prove crucial because goal difference serves as a tiebreaker after group play.

Argentina outshot Chile 17-9. However, Chile, the defending Copa America champion, controlled more than 57 percent of the possession and had more shots on goal than Argentina, 6-5.

Argentina star Lionel Messi, who is nursing a back injury, was available off the bench but did not play.

Panama 2, Bolivia 1

Blas Perez scored twice, including the game-winner in the 87th minute, and Panama won the Group D game at Orlando, Fla.

Perez, a forward for the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS, opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Juan Carlos Arce equalized for Bolivia in the 54th minute.

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Late in regulation, Panama's Abdiel Arroyo dribbled the ball past a Bolivia defender into the right side of the box. With the goalkeeper coming out to cut down Arroyo's angle, Arroyo pulled the ball back toward the penalty spot. Perez ran onto the ball and calmly tapped it between two defenders for the decisive goal.

Panama earned its first-ever win in Copa America, which is the South American championship but usually includes invited teams from other continents.

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