Six goals, two disallowed ones and still no winner.
The Copa America lived up to its reputation of providing exciting matches. After Paraguay’s epic fightback against Argentina the other day, Chile and Mexico played out a marathon 3-3 draw which ebbed and flowed throughout. Chile will have cause to be aggrieved – both the two goals which were disallowed were scored by them. But in the end, it was a fair result – a just reward for Mexico’s doggedness.
Chile came into the game after a clinical victory against Ecuador. Mexico, who had sent a largely second-string team to the tournament, had played out a drab goalless draw with Bolivia. Chile needed a win to qualify for the next round and going by past performance, it didn’t look like a difficult task.
An edge-of-the-seat first half
Unfortunately, that confidence seemed misplaced after the first 20 minutes. Though Chile had started off by playing an attractive attacking game, as it often happens in football, Mexico drew first blood. They had been content to rely on the counter and that gave them the opening goal – a free kick squared off to Vicente Matias Vuoso, who didn’t make any mistake.
That seemed to have woken Chile and the 40,000 strong crowd at Santiago up. Chile responded immediately and it was through their midfield maestro Arturo Vidal who made no mistake in heading home from a corner. Parity had been restored at 1-1.
Seven minutes later, it was Mexico who took advantage of a corner, Raul Jimenez rising high to head it into the far corner, stunning the crowd. The fact that Mexico had led twice in a game where Chile were, by far, the more attacking side, was a testament to their persistence.
Just when it seemed that Mexico could go into the half-time break with a little chip on their shoulders, Chile roared back, yet again. This time it was the Arsenal sensation Alexis Sanchez who provided an outstanding long ball to Vidal to clear the Mexican defence. Vidal, already pumped from his first goal of the evening, delivered an incisive cross. Eduardo Vargas had no problem getting behind it and he duly headed in to allow Chile to breathe again. The half-time whistle sounded at 2-2. It had almost come too early.
An indomitable Mexico
Chile came out far more determined in the second half – that late goal in the first half seemed to have given them an extra edge. Chile’s constant forays into Mexican territory finally bore fruit when Gerardo Flores made a second-late tackle on Vidal, who didn’t need a second invitation to fall. Despite the minimal contact, the penalty was duly awarded. There was no chance Vidal, the star of Chile’s night, would miss – calmly sending the keeper the wrong way, before slotting it home. After coming back twice, Chile were leading.
La Roja should have extended their lead in the 64th minute when Jorge Valdivia powered in a thunderbolt which rocketed into goal. But in what seemed an obvious mistake, the linesman had called it offside. This was the first of two dubious decisions which Chile would come to lament.
Two minutes later, Mexico came surging back to rub salt into Chile’s wounds. Chile’s third goal might have unnerved them but to their credit, they stayed true to their tactics and did not panic. Another long ball and it was Vuoso again who showed tremendous application to run after the ball, hold off two defenders and then cleverly tip it across the keeper. His roar of exultation as he was mobbed by his delighted team-mates showed off how much it meant to him.
Chile kept on attacking but they somehow lacked the killer touch in front of goal. Their build-ups were incredible to watch – short penetrating passes, quick turns, great pace but in front of goal, they somehow seemed to falter. Their cause was not helped in the 80th minute – this time, Sanchez had met a beautiful cross from Mauricio Isla to gently tip it in, but yet again, the flag had gone up. Jorge Sampaoli gave the linesman an earful and for good reason too – it was clear from the replays that this had been a shocker.
It finally ended 3-3. While Chile will have enough reason to be aggrieved over the decisions, they should take pride in the attacking brand of football they play. However, they really need to patch up their frailties at the back. Mexico, on the other hand, have every reason to be chuffed. Their second-string team had shown tremendous spirit by refusing to let a spirited Chile run rampant over them.
The Copa America lived up to its reputation of providing exciting matches. After Paraguay’s epic fightback against Argentina the other day, Chile and Mexico played out a marathon 3-3 draw which ebbed and flowed throughout. Chile will have cause to be aggrieved – both the two goals which were disallowed were scored by them. But in the end, it was a fair result – a just reward for Mexico’s doggedness.
Chile came into the game after a clinical victory against Ecuador. Mexico, who had sent a largely second-string team to the tournament, had played out a drab goalless draw with Bolivia. Chile needed a win to qualify for the next round and going by past performance, it didn’t look like a difficult task.
An edge-of-the-seat first half
Unfortunately, that confidence seemed misplaced after the first 20 minutes. Though Chile had started off by playing an attractive attacking game, as it often happens in football, Mexico drew first blood. They had been content to rely on the counter and that gave them the opening goal – a free kick squared off to Vicente Matias Vuoso, who didn’t make any mistake.
That seemed to have woken Chile and the 40,000 strong crowd at Santiago up. Chile responded immediately and it was through their midfield maestro Arturo Vidal who made no mistake in heading home from a corner. Parity had been restored at 1-1.
Seven minutes later, it was Mexico who took advantage of a corner, Raul Jimenez rising high to head it into the far corner, stunning the crowd. The fact that Mexico had led twice in a game where Chile were, by far, the more attacking side, was a testament to their persistence.
Just when it seemed that Mexico could go into the half-time break with a little chip on their shoulders, Chile roared back, yet again. This time it was the Arsenal sensation Alexis Sanchez who provided an outstanding long ball to Vidal to clear the Mexican defence. Vidal, already pumped from his first goal of the evening, delivered an incisive cross. Eduardo Vargas had no problem getting behind it and he duly headed in to allow Chile to breathe again. The half-time whistle sounded at 2-2. It had almost come too early.
An indomitable Mexico
Chile came out far more determined in the second half – that late goal in the first half seemed to have given them an extra edge. Chile’s constant forays into Mexican territory finally bore fruit when Gerardo Flores made a second-late tackle on Vidal, who didn’t need a second invitation to fall. Despite the minimal contact, the penalty was duly awarded. There was no chance Vidal, the star of Chile’s night, would miss – calmly sending the keeper the wrong way, before slotting it home. After coming back twice, Chile were leading.
La Roja should have extended their lead in the 64th minute when Jorge Valdivia powered in a thunderbolt which rocketed into goal. But in what seemed an obvious mistake, the linesman had called it offside. This was the first of two dubious decisions which Chile would come to lament.
Two minutes later, Mexico came surging back to rub salt into Chile’s wounds. Chile’s third goal might have unnerved them but to their credit, they stayed true to their tactics and did not panic. Another long ball and it was Vuoso again who showed tremendous application to run after the ball, hold off two defenders and then cleverly tip it across the keeper. His roar of exultation as he was mobbed by his delighted team-mates showed off how much it meant to him.
Chile kept on attacking but they somehow lacked the killer touch in front of goal. Their build-ups were incredible to watch – short penetrating passes, quick turns, great pace but in front of goal, they somehow seemed to falter. Their cause was not helped in the 80th minute – this time, Sanchez had met a beautiful cross from Mauricio Isla to gently tip it in, but yet again, the flag had gone up. Jorge Sampaoli gave the linesman an earful and for good reason too – it was clear from the replays that this had been a shocker.
It finally ended 3-3. While Chile will have enough reason to be aggrieved over the decisions, they should take pride in the attacking brand of football they play. However, they really need to patch up their frailties at the back. Mexico, on the other hand, have every reason to be chuffed. Their second-string team had shown tremendous spirit by refusing to let a spirited Chile run rampant over them.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!