Copa América round up: Bolivia shock Ecuador as hosts Chile are held by Mexico

Hosts Chile are on the brink of qualifying for the knock-out stages, despite being held 3-3 by Mexico, in Santiago. Jorge Sampaoli’s side struggled to get a grip on proceedings in an open and entertaining encounter, but remain level at the top of Group A with Bolivia, on four points. Mexico first took the lead on […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-06-16 12:49:00

Hosts Chile are on the brink of qualifying for the knock-out stages, despite being held 3-3 by Mexico, in Santiago.

Jorge Sampaoli’s side struggled to get a grip on proceedings in an open and entertaining encounter, but remain level at the top of Group A with Bolivia, on four points.

Mexico first took the lead on 21 minutes, when one time Manchester City forward Vicente Matías Vuoso struck. That advantage was wiped out just 60 seconds later by a well placed Arturo Vidal header, but an equally impressive headed attempt from Raúl Jiménez soon restored Mexico’s lead.

Chile would respond again before half-time, with Eduardo Vargas arriving unmarked to put in the third header of the first half and level proceedings at 2-2.

After the break, Chile started the stronger, with Palmeiras’ midfielder Jorge Valdivia becoming increasingly influential. La Roja eventually turned their dominance into a goal, with Vidal converting from the penalty spot, after he was fouled by Gerardo Flores. 

Despite leading for the first time on the night, Chile could not hold on and Vuoso would score again to ensure it ended 3-3.

In the earlier game in Group A, Bolivia and Ecuador played out an equally thrilling contest. 

A string of individual errors allowed first Ronald Raldes, then Martin Smedberg-Dalence and former Grêmio loanee Marcelo Moreno (from the penalty spot), to give Bolivia unlikely 3-0 half-time lead. 

Ecuador, despite largely controlling proceedings, were ruthlessly made to paid and also saw Enner Valencia miss his retaken spot kick.

After the interval, Gustavo Quinteros’ side rallied and managed to get back to 3-2 with goals from the aforementioned Valencia and midfielder Miller Bolaños, but despite Christian Noboa hitting the crossbar, they could not complete the comeback, leaving Bolivia on the brink of an unlikely qualification. 

Monday 15th June results

Bolivia 3 – 2 Ecuador
Ronald Raldes (5′)   Enner Valencia (48′)
Martin Smedberg-Dalence (18′)   Miller Bolaños (82′)
Marcelo Moreno (pen 43′)    

Bolivia: Romel Quiñónez; Miguel Hurtado, Ronald Raldes, Edward Zenteno, Leonel Morales; Ricardo Pedriel (Cristian Coimbra 57’), Alejandro Chumacero, Danny Bejarano, Martin Smedberg-Dalence; Damián Lizio (Marvin Bejarano 72’); Marcelo Moreno (Damir Miranda 88’)

Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez; Juan Carlos Paredes (Daniel Angulo 86’), Gabriel Achilier, Frickson Erazo, Walter Ayoví; Christian Noboa, Pedro Quiñónez (Juan Cazares 46’); Fidel Martínez (Renato Ibarra 46’), Miller Bolaños, Jefferson Montero; Enner Valencia

Chile 3 – 3 Mexico
Arturo Vidal (22′, pen 55′)   Vicente Matías Vuoso (21′, 66′)
Eduardo Vargas (42′)   Raúl Jiménez (29′)

Chile: Claudio Bravo; Gary Medel, Gonzalo Jara, Miiko Albornoz (Jean Beausejour 87’); Mauricio Isla, Marcelo Díaz (Eugenio Mena 71’), Charles Aránguiz, Arturo Vidal; Jorge Valdivia; Eduardo Vargas (Mauricio Pinilla 85’), Alexis Sánchez

Mexico: Jesús Corona; Gerardo Flores, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Hugo Ayala, Julio César Domínguez, Adrián Aldrete (Carlos Salcedo 71’); Juan Carlos Medina (Javier Aquino 64’), Javier Güemez; Jesús Manuel Corona (Mario Osuna 77’); Vicente Matías Vuoso, Raúl Jiménez

Group A Standings

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