Chile will play Ecuador as the Copa America 2015 tournament gets underway on Thursday night. This opening fixture should be an intriguing one with both teams having skilled players, but also come into the competition not in their best form. The game takes place from the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, with a start time of 7.30 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the beIN network, or online through live stream via the link below.
Host nation Chile will have a lot of expectation on them to claim an opening game win here tonight.
Neither Chile nor Ecuador managed to get to the semi-finals in the last Copa America, and both will be hoping to go further this time around - especially Chile will believe they have a great opportunity to go all the way, being the host nation.
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal will need to be at their best for Chile this tournament. Sanchez helped the Gunners lift the FA Cup just weeks ago, where as Vidal had a hugely successful season with Juventus, winning a domestic double, and going all the way to the Champions League Final, where the Italian team eventually succumbed to Barcelona.
In Chile's last game before the Copa America started, they managed to get back to winning ways, claiming a 1-0 win over El Salvador. However, that was only their second win in their last five matches, and they must start to hit better form if they are to progress far in this year's competition.
Ecuador meanwhile have been in similar form, having won just two games in their last five. Their last game was a morale-booster though, as they managed to secure a strong 4-0 victory over Panama.
However, all the lead-up and preparations to this year's tournament will mean little once the whistle blows to get this Copa America opening game underway, and both teams will know it is time to get down to business as they look to successfully navigate their way out of Group A.
Tonight's big Copa America 2015 game between Chile and Ecuador has a start time of 7.30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on beIN Sports, or online through live stream by clicking here.
