After a subdued effort in their first game in the 2015 Copa America, Mexico raised their level considerably and played to a hard-fought 3-3 draw against host country Chile on Monday in Santiago.
The Chileans, among the favorites of the tournament, were paced by two goals from star midfielder Arturo Vidal and another by Eduardo Vargas, while Mexico took the lead in the game twice and were led by veteran striker Matias Vuoso's brace and another goal from young striker Raul Jimenez (pictured above). The home side did have the better of the play overall and had two goals called back on the night, but it was a pulsating and entertaining affair on both sides of the field.
Mexico took the lead, largely against the run of play, in the 21st minute. On a counterattack, Jimenez received the ball on a cross from Jesus "Tecatito" Corona and sent a square pass over to Vuoso, who did enough to push the ball over the line.
But the lead was short-lived, as Vidal rose up and headed a corner kick unmarked from deep in the 18-yard box past Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona to tie it up just seconds later.
Five minutes later, Mexico fullback Gerardo Flores had a header that forced a save from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to keep the score level. But a minute later, Jimenez got his goal, also on a header, as he fought off a defender while jumping for a ball slightly behind him, and his shot arced into the top corner.
Just before the break, Vargas brought Chile level once again, as he headed a cross from Vidal to the bottom corner of the net.
Coming out of halftime, Vidal continued to impact the game in a major way, as he drew a penalty for the second consecutive game, as Flores was judged to be late to a 50-50 ball with the Juventus man in the box. Vidal easily converted the penalty in the 55th minute to give the hosts their first lead of the night.
Jorge Valdivia thought he added an insurance tally for the Chileans just after the hour mark, but Vidal, who set up the midfielder's rocket with a knockdown header, was judged to be offside before receiving the ball, so the goal was waved off.
Two minutes later, Vuoso brought Mexico level at 3-3 with his second of the night, after taking a terrific ball over the top from Adrian Aldrete and slotting it into the empty net after bypassing Bravo.
Chile had another goal called off in the 79th minute, as Alexis Sanchez was ruled offside before slotting a shot home.
The result gives the North Americans two points from their first two group stage games, putting them in third place in Group A. It is possible they could advance to the knockout stage if they can remain in third place, but a result, especially a win over Ecuador in the final group stage match on Friday, would bolster their chances of moving on.
