Eduardo Vargas scored twice against Liga de Quito in the final of the Copa Sudamericana to lead Universidad de Chile to a historic title triumph.
More than 50,000 fans witnessed Universidad de Chile thrash Liga de Quito of Ecuador 3-0 in Santiago on Wednesday to win the Copa Sudamericana, the first international title in the club's entire history.
The Chileans completely outplayed their opponents, winning the match with two goals from striker Eduardo Vargas, the highest goal-scorer of the competition, and another from Argentine midfielder Gustavo Lorenzetti at the Estadio Nacional of Santiago.
Having won 1-0 in the altitude of Quito last week, Universidad came into the title decider as the overwhelming favourites and they lived up to the expectation with an exceptional performance, which extended their unbeaten run to 35 matches.
Universidad de Chile pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off, and they went ahead as early as in the 3rd minute. Matias Rodriguez sent a right-sided cross into the area, and Vargas met a rebound with a venomous left-footed drive.
Motivated by the goal, the Chilean giants kept at the attack and would have added their second goal in the 7th minute had Liga goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez not pulled off a brilliant save from a Francisco Castro effort.
Liga, winners of the Copa Sudamericana in 2009, struggled to get into the game leaving star striker Hernan Barcos isolated up front. The Ecuadorians could barely keep up with the momentum of the hosts, and at times resorted to physical play as a means to stop them.
In the second period Liga livened up a touch, but rarely threatened Universidad goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, who was a spectator up to this moment. La 'U', on the other hand, continued to mount dangerous attacks on Dominguez's goal, and came close to scoring with a shot from midfielder Gustavo Canales that flashed inches wide.
If Liga's task was difficult at present, it pretty much became mission impossible from the 67th minute when Jorge Guagua received his marching orders for striking Lorenzetti as both players disputed a ball.
From that instance it was all one-way traffic, as Universidad created numerous goal-scoring opportunities. After much pressure, substitute Lorenzetti doubled their lead in the 79th minute when he met a rebound with a clever finish after a Vargas shot was blocked by Dominguez.
Four minutes from full-time it was Vargas who completed the rout, when he outwitted three defenders before beating Dominguez with a classy finish. Not only did Vargas end the tournament on top of the scoring charts, with eleven goals, but he was also named tournament MVP.
Universidad de Chile celebrated winning the Copa Sudamericana in style, which was their first international title triumph in their entire 84-year history.
The Chileans completely outplayed their opponents, winning the match with two goals from striker Eduardo Vargas, the highest goal-scorer of the competition, and another from Argentine midfielder Gustavo Lorenzetti at the Estadio Nacional of Santiago.
Having won 1-0 in the altitude of Quito last week, Universidad came into the title decider as the overwhelming favourites and they lived up to the expectation with an exceptional performance, which extended their unbeaten run to 35 matches.
Universidad de Chile pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off, and they went ahead as early as in the 3rd minute. Matias Rodriguez sent a right-sided cross into the area, and Vargas met a rebound with a venomous left-footed drive.
Motivated by the goal, the Chilean giants kept at the attack and would have added their second goal in the 7th minute had Liga goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez not pulled off a brilliant save from a Francisco Castro effort.
Liga, winners of the Copa Sudamericana in 2009, struggled to get into the game leaving star striker Hernan Barcos isolated up front. The Ecuadorians could barely keep up with the momentum of the hosts, and at times resorted to physical play as a means to stop them.
In the second period Liga livened up a touch, but rarely threatened Universidad goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, who was a spectator up to this moment. La 'U', on the other hand, continued to mount dangerous attacks on Dominguez's goal, and came close to scoring with a shot from midfielder Gustavo Canales that flashed inches wide.
If Liga's task was difficult at present, it pretty much became mission impossible from the 67th minute when Jorge Guagua received his marching orders for striking Lorenzetti as both players disputed a ball.
From that instance it was all one-way traffic, as Universidad created numerous goal-scoring opportunities. After much pressure, substitute Lorenzetti doubled their lead in the 79th minute when he met a rebound with a clever finish after a Vargas shot was blocked by Dominguez.
Four minutes from full-time it was Vargas who completed the rout, when he outwitted three defenders before beating Dominguez with a classy finish. Not only did Vargas end the tournament on top of the scoring charts, with eleven goals, but he was also named tournament MVP.
Universidad de Chile celebrated winning the Copa Sudamericana in style, which was their first international title triumph in their entire 84-year history.
