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The ongoing Copa America in Brazil has been one fraught with action, thrills and excitement, as the best players South America has to offer have been on display for the last fortnight.
From a starting pool of 12, the playing field has been reduced to the final four, with Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru set to battle it out for bragging rights as the premier footballing nation of the continent.
So far, a total of 48 goals have been scored from 22 matches, as the forwards have come to the fore in the competition.
Goals win tournaments and with just a little under a week left to go in the tournament, the forwards left would have to bring their scoring abilities to the fore in a bid to lead their nation to glory.
In this piece, we shall be having a rundown of the top five players still in the running to win the 2019 Copa America Golden Boot.
#5 Eduardo Vargas (Chile) - 2 goals
Eduardo Vargas is a 29-year-old forward who stars for Tigres UANL in the Mexican Liga MX. He has been a Chilean international since 2009, making 85 appearances, scoring 38 goals.
So far in the tournament, Vargas has scored two goals with both coming in the 4-0 victory over Japan in the group stage and he has a chance to extend his goals total when La Roja come up against Peru in the semifinal on July 3.
#4 Everton Soares (Brazil) - 2 goals
The 23-year-old has been earning rave reviews with his displays in Brazil with Gremio and made his international bow with Brazil in 2018.
Several clubs have reportedly put Everton Soares on their radar including Manchester United and he has undoubtedly boosted his stock with his performances in his country of origin.
So far he has scored two goals in the tournament, while also providing one assist as Brazil seek their ninth title and first since 2007.
#3 Philippe Coutinho (Brazil) - 2 goals
Philippe Coutinho's performance at the Copa America goes in stark contrast against what he offered Barcelona.
The 2018/2019 season was one to forget for the 26-year-old but he has put that behind him to star for Brazil in the absence of Neymar.
So far, Coutinho has scored two goals and provided one assist from four matches to power Brazil to the last four.
#2 Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) - 2 goals
Despite the presence of more illustrious names like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria in the Argentine squad, a certain unheralded Lautaro Martinez has emerged as Albiceleste's most effective player.
The Inter man has sparked to life in this tournament, scoring two goals to help Argentina make it this far while also winning the penalty through which Lionel Messi scored his only goal of the competition so far.
#1 Alexis Sanchez (Chile) - 2 goals
While he might be struggling for form at club level with Manchester United, Alexis Sanchez has morphed into a different beast at international level with Chile.
So far he has been the driving force behind Chile's quest for a third consecutive Copa America win, scoring two goals and assisting one and has established himself as the forerunner to win the Golden Boot at the tournament.
