Brazil, June 22 -- Despite another ankle injury, Alexis Sanchez led Chile to the quarterfinals of the Copa America.

Playing in pain after getting hurt in the first half, Sanchez scored a second-half winner to give Chile a 2-1 victory over Ecuador and a spot in the last eight of the South American competition on Friday.

Sanchez stayed in the game after taking pain pills and scored in the 51st minute at the Arena Fonte Nova, securing the two-time defending champions a place in the knockout stage.

"I twisted my ankle. I kept playing for the love I have for this national team," he said. "When I play for my country, I'm always playing happy."

Sanchez found the far corner with a clever one-timer over Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez a...