The incredible games just keep coming in Copa America 2015, the latest being Chile’s enthralling tie with Mexico which ended 3-3, including braces from both Arturo Vidal and Vicente Vuoso.
The game opened at a stop-start pace, with neither side able to produce any real threat in the opening 20 minutes. Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez and Chile’s Alexis Sánchez were the two clear focal points for each side.
Fifty seconds past the 20 minute mark we saw the first chance of the game and the first goal from Vicente Vuoso. The ball was curved into the box before Juan Carlos Medina cut it back to Chiapas’ Vuoso, who rolled the ball into the back of the net.
Within a minute Chile responded. Charles Aránguiz’s corner towards the penalty spot was met tremendously by Arturo Vidal, who thrust his head forward to direct the ball into the corner of Jesús Corona’s goal.
In the 28th minute Gerardo Flores headed towards goal, only to see Claudio Bravo make a strong save, pushing the ball onto the crossbar.
From the resulting corner Mexico regained the lead. Atlético Madrid forward Raúl Jiménez matched Vidal’s header for distance and quality, with a sensational leap and connection on the back of an Adrián Aldrete corner.
Chile responded well, coming close through a trademark Alexis Sánchez free kick, whipping just over the top of the goal.
Three minutes before half time the response was emphasised in the scoreline. Sánchez played a beautiful cross-field ball to Vidal, who played a quick one-two with Mauricio Isla before crossing perfectly to Eduardo Vargas.
The Napoli man buried his header into the same corner as Vidal’s, with both players now on two goals for the tournament. The half ended with Chile on top but Mexico were most certainly still in the game.
Eight minutes into the second half Vidal won his second penalty of the tournament after some good work by Arsenal’s Sánchez. The Juventus midfielder stepped up to the spot and sent Jesús Corona the wrong way to score his third of Copa America 2015 and his twelfth for La Roja.
After 64 minutes Chile had a goal disallowed. Vidal headed down for Palmeiras midfielder Jorge Valdivia, who slammed the ball in from 25 yards, only for the linesman to raise his flag against Vidal.
One minute later a long, hopeful ball from Aldrete landed perfectly for Vicente Vuoso, who tucked underneath Claudio Bravo to level the game once again.
In response, Sánchez got a shot away during a flowing Chilean move but couldn’t find the far corner. This was followed by another magnificent passing move from Chile, ending with Valdivia somehow putting the ball wide of the goal.
Under 15 minutes to go and Sánchez started and finished a move, but the linesman again made a dubious call to disallow a Chilean goal.
The final minutes were played out at the same frantic pace of the previous 80, but nobody was able to make the difference. The game ended 3-3, keeping Mexico in reach of Bolivia and sending Chile top of Group A after two games each.
Chile: Bravo, Isla, Medel, Jara, Albornoz (Beausejour 87), Aránguiz, Díaz (Mena 71), Vidal, Valdivia, Alexis, Vargas (Pinilla 85)
Mexico: Jesús Corona, Flores, Ayala, Domínguez, Valenzuela, Aldrete (Salcedo 71), Güemez, Medina (Aquino 64), ‘Tecatito’ Corona (Osuna 77), Vuoso, Jiménez
Booked: Vidal, ‘Tecatito’ Corona, Pinilla
Goalscorers: Vuoso x2, Vidal x2, Jiménez, Vargas
Man of the Match: Arturo Vidal. Now the competition’s top scorer, Vidal was involved in all three of Chile’s goals today, scoring twice and assisting once. Special mentions must go to Vicente Vuoso and Alexis Sánchez, who were also excellent for their sides.