Practice makes perfect for Chile hero Vargas

Santiago: Chile goal hero Eduardo Vargas revealed he had been practicing long-range shots after scoring a 30-yard screamer to fire `La Roja` into the Copa America final here Monday.

Vargas uncorked a contender for goal of the tournament in the 64th minute, surging forward from midfield and letting fly to send an unstoppable shot ripping past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

"I`ve been practicing shooting from long range in training and doing quite well with them, so when I found myself in that position I had the confidence to shoot," Vargas told Chilean television.

"I`m very happy that we`re in the final," added the 25-year-old, who also scored Chile`s controversial opening goal in the first half to give his side the lead.

Vargas`s opener was lucky to stand; replays showed the striker had scored after being in an offside position when Alexis Sanchez played a teasing cross into the Peruvian box.

That decision was balanced out early in the second half when Vargas saw a superb volleyed goal wrongly ruled out for offside.

Vargas`s heroics come after a difficult season for the forward, who last year was loaned from Serie A outfit Napoli to struggling English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers.

Vargas endured a miserable season at Loftus Road as QPR slumped to relegation, finishing bottom of the table.