Security was tight after a tightly fought Copa America match between rivals Chile and Peru, with police using water cannons to disperse fans and even stray dogs on the streets after the game.

The upsetting scenes came after Chile emerged victorious with a 2-1 win last night against a dogged Peruvian team.

The winner was supplied by a flash of genius from the rejuvenated Eduardo Vargas, who now has four goals in as many games.

Seemingly minding their own business on the empty streets, the two dogs appear to have been deliberately targeted by the water cannon.

Long after the game has finished, a single water cannon truck was photographed soaking two stray dogs in the streets

Two jubilant Chile fans trudge home after their country's 2-1 victory over rivals Peru

The dogs, which do not appear to have collars, were cruelly soaked with freezing cold water from the water cannon.

Designed for firefighting and more notoriously known for dispersing people at demonstrations and gatherings, water cannons were first used to desperse riots in the 1930s in Germany.

Following the game, both sets of fans spilled on to the streets with security forces having to intervene to prevent a mass brawl.

The angry exchange between fans came after Carlos Zambrano was dismissed for catching Charles Aranguiz in the back with his studs.

Fans from both countries poured on to the streets after the game, sparking security fears that a riot could happen

Fans take cover behind a statue as riot police turn a water cannon on to several fans

With their red flares and flags, the host country showed out in force to cheer on their side

Lit only by a few street lights and the large lamp on top of the water cannon, fans are effectively dispersed by the police

He was adjudged to have deliberately followed through with force on Charles Aranguiz and shown a straight red card having already been booked.

Zambrano's dismissal changed its dynamic at a time when Peru were in the ascendancy.

Hosts Chile are currently one win away from a maiden Copa America triumph despite their worst performance of the tournament while Peru must lick their wounds before Fridays' third-place play-off.

Several Chile fans attempt to help an injured fan after a tightly fought game meant that Chile are now in the final of the Copa America

Security forces watch over as they attempt to maintain control of fans. Hundreds of fans came out to celebrate the game

Played in the Chilean capital of Santiago, the two sides were eventually separated by a moment of genius from former QPR flop Eduardo Vargas

And striker Paolo Guerrero said: 'I don't want to talk about referees anymore, it's always something with them [Chile] at home, we have to recognise that.'

The animosity between the two countries dates back to the four-year War of the Pacific at the end of the nineteenth century.

Nowadays their disagreements are rather more tenuous.

One centres on the spirit Pisco, a brandy made from grapes which grow in both countries, and the main ingredient in the national drink of each nation. Both claim to be the home of the Pisco Sour cocktail. And both claim to have invented the bicycle kick.

Peruvian fans nervously watch the game. They will go home disappointed despite their strong performance against Chile

Chile will now face either Argentina or Paraguay in the Copa America final. Fans will be hoping their side can win for the first time

Holding a large Chilean flag, fans celebrate their country's victory, where there are high hopes that they can win the whole tournament

Chile boss Jose Sampaoli opted to replace the banned Gonzalo Jara with Jose Rojas while Miiko Albornoz was drafted in for Eugenio Mena.

Peru's midfield duo Carlos Lobaton and Josepmir Ballon were recalled after serving suspensions with Yoshimar Yotun and Edwin Retamoso dropping to the bench. Claudio Pizarro was also left out with Andre Carrillo taking his place.

And it didn't take long for old rivalries to be renewed.

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Eduardo Vargas scored twice on Monday night to help Chile through to the Copa America final with victory over Peru

The former QPR loanee struck a superb winner into the top corner from well outside the box at the National Stadium

Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese could do nothing about Vargas' strike but the 10-man visitors put up a fight in Santiago

Carlos Zambrano caught Chile midfielder Charles Aranguiz on the back with his studs in the first half in Santiago

The Peruvian defender was booked earlier on in the contest but was still shown a straight red card by referee Jose Argote

The Chile players celebrate at the end of the game - they will play either Colombia or Argentina in the Copa America final

MATCH FACTS Chile (4-3-1-2): Bravo 6.5, Isla 7, Medel 6, Rojas 5.5, Albornoz 5 (Mena 46, 7), Vidal 6.5, Diaz 6 (D Pizarro 46, 6), Aranguiz 5.5, Valdivia 7 (Gutierrez 86); E Vargas 8, Sanchez 6.5 Subs not used: Garces, Herrera, Beausejour, Silva, Fuenzalida, Fernandez, Pinilla, Henriquez Goals: Vargas 42, 64 Peru (4-4-2): Gallese 6, Advincula 7, Zambrano 5, Ascues 6.5, Vargas 6.5, Carrillo 7 (C Pizarro 73, 6), Ballon 6.5, Lobaton 6 (Yotun 73, 6), Cueva 5 (Ramos 27, 6), Farfan 7, Guerrero 7.5 Subs not used: Penny, Libman, Riojas, Cespedes, Requena, Hurtado, Retamoso, Sanchez, Reyna Goal: Medel og 60 Booked: Zambrano Sent off: Zambrano Referee: Jose Argote (Venezuela) Advertisement

Vargas was played in by Arturo Vidal but his shot was diverted behind for a corner before the Juventus midfielder was lucky to get away with putting his and to Carlos Zambrano's face following a touchline tussle.

Zambrano had to wait just three minutes to be booked however after he sent Sanchez tumbling to the turf on the right wing.

Peru's pace had caused Bolivia no end of trouble in their quarter-final and their dangerous front three began to spread their wings here.

Guerrero found space on the left wing and picked out Jefferson Farfan in the middle but the Schalke forward's header came back off the upright.

Albornoz in particular was struggling at left-back while on the opposite wing, Guerrero got the better of Jose Rojas before teeing up Lobaton who could only find the side netting.

But Peru's momentum was halted when Zambrano was shown a straight red card. Having cleared the ball from defence, his studs caught Aranguiz who collapsed to the ground holding his back.

Vargas wheels away in celebration after opening the scoring for hosts Chile in the Copa America semi-final

Vargas rolled the ball over the line after Alexis Sanchez' cross hit the post with the goalkeeper beaten

Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz rush to congratulate Vargas after his strike put Chile in front in the first half

Gary Medel (right) stretches to cut out a cross but only manages to turn the ball past Claudio Bravo and into his own net

The Peru players celebrate after Medel's own goal gave them a route back into the Copa America semi-final

Aranguiz had to receive medical attention after he was caught by Zambrano during the first half of the Copa America semi-final in Santiago

Buoyed by their man-advantage, Chile pressed on with Jorge Valdivia attempting to lift the ball over the stranded Pedro Gallese but succeeded only in clearing the bar.

Peru boss Ricardo Gareca shored up his defence by bringing on Christian Ramos for Christian Cueva before Valdivia came within inches of curling his side ahead.

And only a brilliant block from Luis Advincula kept Peru level after the right-back threw himself at Vargas' effort from the edge of the six-yard box.

Arturo Vidal was luckily to escape a sending off after pushing Zambrano in the face during the Copa America semi-final

Referee Argote rushes to separate the pair during a confrontation early on in the semi-final clash

Vidal and Zambrano eventually shake hands and make up after the incident - but the Peru player was later sent off

Arsenal and Chile forward Alexis Sanchez looks to get the better of Peru right back Luis Advincula during the semi-final game

But the former Queens Park Rangers forward did break the deadlock three minutes before the break. Sanchez's ball into the box was missed by Aranguiz but after it came off the post, Vargas reacted quickest to scramble it home.

But despite leading at the break, it was Chile who made a double switch for the second half with the struggling Albornoz replaced by Eugenio Mena while Marcelo Diaz made way for David Pizarro.

And after Vargas had a volleyed effort ruled out for offside, Peru began to control possession.

Farfan had wasted two good opportunities in front of goal before Gary Medel inadvertently turned Advincula's cross into his own net on the hour mark.

Peru's hat-trick hero in the last round - Paolo Guerrero - takes on Arturo Vidal in the centre of the pitch at the National Stadium

The Chile players gather in a huddle before the start of the game in front of their expectant home fans

Sanchez bravely goes up for a header as Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese comes out to punch the ball clear

Peru's parity lasted just four minutes however as Vargas swerved a brilliant shot over the head of the stranded Gallese.

With nothing to lose, Claudio Pizarro was thrown on for the final 15 minutes and tested Claudio Bravo almost instantly with a near-post header.

Both Sanchez and Vidal came close to adding a third but neither could find the target with blistering efforts.

Chile had never looked comfortable despite their numerical advantage and few would have argued had Pizarro headed in a deserved equaliser with five minutes remaining.

But the hosts hung on until the final whistle to set up a clash with either Argentina or Paraguay on Saturday.

Guerrero attempts to hold the ball up as Gary Medel (right) and Marcelo Diaz (left) mark him tightly

The home fans display a large Chile flag to cheer on their team during the Copa America semi-final in Santiago

Jefferson Farfan (centre) is tracked closely by Arturo Vidal (left) and Miiko Albornoz (right) at the National Stadium