Group A – Match 4 (June 15, 2015)

Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile

Copa America 2015 Group A – Match 3: Chile 3-3 Mexico 1

Chile and Mexico played out an entertaining draw, which highlighted each other’s poor defence, the match was otherwise a live summer blockbuster being played out in front of enthralled spectators. The final result did not make any changes to Group A, Bolivia and Chile remain on top of their group, which leaves the 3^rd-place spot open for Mexico and Ecuador.

Matías Vuoso, although born in Argentina and playing for Mexico, will remember this day as he scored twice for Mexico. The Chilean Matías, who was also born an Argentine, was suspended following a double booking in Chile’s previous match. He watched on from the dugout as the home team came back twice, then took a lead, only to give it away again to Vuoso’s sublime finish.

After Vuoso tapped in the opening goal for Mexico, Vidal equalised for Chile within ninety seconds from a corner, kicked in by Charles Aránguiz. Following a very open game since that goal, Jesús Corona crossed in for Gerardo Flores, whose header was tipped out by Claudio Bravo. In the ensuing corner, Raúl Jiménez scored from an excellent looping header, despite Bravo trying to keep it out with his fingertips. Flores gave away a free kick in Mexico’s defensive half at the 33^rd minute, and Alexis Sanchez almost scored from the set-piece, but the ball went out just wide. Chile managed to come up with an equaliser just before half-time, as Eduardo Vargas score from a build-up by Mauricio Isla, Sanchez and Vidal.

Soon after the break, Vidal was brought down in the penalty area by Gerardo Flores. The Juve midfielder got on the score-sheet again, as he thumped the ball into the right corner of the net. Further drama unfolded as Vuoso chipped the ball past Claudio bravo, from a deft through ball from Adrián Aldrete, right after Valdivia’s goal for Chile was ruled offside. Alexis Sanchez seemed to have saved the match for Chile in the 80^th minute, but his goal was also deemed offside. The points were shared as the match ended 3-3.

Chile need to win their final group match against Bolivia, on Saturday, June 20. If they do not finish 1^st in their group, they run the risk of drawing Argentina or Brazil in the quarterfinals. In the other match for Group A, Ecuador lost 2-3 to Bolivia. Ecuador are now at the bottom of Group A, without any points.

Copa America 2015 Group A – Match 3: Chile 3-3 Mexico 2