Mexico 0, Chile 7 | Copa America Centenario Quarterfinal Match Recap

Eduardo Vargas - Chile - Copa America - Celebrate goal


Chile subjected Mexico to a historic defeat in Santa Clara tonight, winning 7-0 in a game where Mexico showed little in the way of attack. 


Chile were the aggressors to begin the match, and their constant effort paid off in the 16' when Edson Puch was in the right place to knock home a rebound that fell right to his feet. Marcelo Diaz took the initial shot from well outside the penalty area, but Guillermo Ochoa was only able to knock it aside and Puch's aim was true.


The goals continued to come for Chile when Alexis Sanchez took the ball down to the end line from a throw in play. He turned and found Eduardo Vargas in the penalty area who was able to direct the ball over Ochoa for Chile's second goal. 


The second half was more of the same, with Chile scoring twice in a three minute span to put Mexico away. Both times they utilized quick passing to get past Mexico's back line on the counter. First it was Sanchez and Arturo Vidal linking up on a give-and-go in the penalty area, and then minutes later Vargas got his second from the same spot as Sanchez. Vargas got the hat trick as Chile scored their fifth goal of the night five minutes later and the rout was on. He'd score a fourth before the night was done.


Box Score


  • 16'  - CHI - Edson Puch 
  • 44' - CHI - Eduardo Vargas (Alexis Sanchez)
  • 49' - CHI - Alexis Sanchez (Arturo Vidal)
  • 52' - CHI - Eduardo Vargas (Alexis Sanchez)
  • 57' - CHI - Eduardo Vargas
  • 74' - CHI - Eduardo Vargas
  • 87' - CHI - Edson Puch (Arturo Vidal)
  • Full Box Score
  • Stats


Three Things


  1. TO BE THE BEST: Eduardo Vargas was historically good tonight, and according to Opta he left a trail of records in his wake. He's the first Chilean player to score a hat trick in Copa America since Hormazabal against Ecuador in 1955. His fourth goal made him the first Chilean player to score four in Copa America since David Arellano in 1926. It's been 59 years since a player scored 10 goals in his first 10 Copa America games. 
  2. YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE BEST: Going into tonight's match Mexico were rolling with a 9-0-1 record. Tonight's loss is the first time El Tri have been defeated under hea coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Mexico also came into the match with a 3-1-3 record in Copa America against Chile. 
  3. WHOOO: Vargas' four goals for historically great, but the Chilean team as a whole made some history too. According to Opta The 7-0 victory equaled Chile's biggest win on record in Copa America, a 7-0 victory against Venezuela in 1979.  


They Said It

Next Up


  • CHI: Wednesday vs. Colombia (8pm ET, FS1/Univision)
  • MEX: ELIMINATED