Mexico and Bolivia came face-to-face in the second game of Copa America 2015, with both sides looking to get off to a strong start.
El Tri entered the game as clear favourites with Bolivia being an unfamiliar team to most – even in South America. The final score came as somewhat of a surprise to fans, as Mexico failed to impress.
As expected, Mexico dominated the opening half and had the first chance of the match after 11 minutes when a ball was lifted in to Juan Carlos Medina who volleyed wide of Romel Quiñónez’s goal. However, Bolivia weren’t just there to make up the numbers. Ricardo Pedriel struck the post for Bolivia just two minutes later, following on from Martin Smedberg-Dalence turning inside and delivering a dangerous cross in to the box.
Bolivia threatened again on 41 minutes as Jhasmani Campos struck from 25 yards, forcing a well-timed save from José Corona. Miguel Herrera’s side looked most menacing when wing-backs Gerardo Flores and Adrián Aldrete were involved in the play, while Twente youngster Tecatito Corona showed glimpses of his talent throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Mexico may have controlled a relatively uneventful half, but Bolivia let fans know they weren’t going to roll over for El Tri.
They continued their dominance into the second half. Tecatito broke through on goal just three minutes in but fired wide, before Medina shot well over from outside of the box nine minutes later.
At the other end, Marcelo Martins turned his man and ran towards goal before dragging a shot just past José Corona’s far post.
Mexico’s best chance inside the first 70 minutes fell as Tecatito showed quick feet to dazzle Miguel Hurtado, before swinging in an inch-perfect cross for Atletico Madrid’s Raúl Jiménez, who somehow headed wide of a gaping goal.
With 78 minutes on the clock Mexico felt they should have had a penalty. Substitute Javier Aquino went down under the challenge of Leonel Morales, but the referee waved play on. Replays showed there was contact from the Bolivian full-back, although it would have been soft if penalised.
A few moments later Aquino was involved again, showing great desire to win his side a free kick, which wasn’t properly dealt with by Bolivia as Vicente Vuoso latched on to a loose ball, only to see his shot deflected wide for a corner.
The game petered out in the final minutes as play turned sloppy, with no real chances falling for either side. Bolivia will be delighted with a point to start their campaign, while Mexico head in to a tough test against hosts Chile on the back of a disappointing result.
Mexico: José de Jesus Corona; Flores, Domínguez, Márquez (Aquino 64), Ayala, Aldrete; Güemez, Medina (Montes 81), ‘Tecatito’ Corona; Vuoso, Herrera (Jiménez 60)
Bolivia: Quiñónez; Hurtado, Raldes, Zenteno, Morales; D. Bejarano, Chumacero, Campos (Escobar 70), Smedberg Dalence; Martins, Pedriel (M. Bejarano 85)
Booked: D. Bejarano, Escobar, Flores
Goalscorers: N/A
Man of the Match: Ronald Raldes. The seasoned captain of the national side put in a solid display at centre-back, proving to be the key component of Bolivia’s impenetrable defence.