5 talking points from Chile's 3-3 draw with Mexico

Chile were pegged back by Mexico in a 3-3 draw

Hosts Chile were stunningly held to a 3-3 draw at Santiago as Mexico twice fought back from a goal down to level the terms and in the end, snatched a crucial point. The result saw Chile go on top of the group with 4 points while Mexico got their second draw and have 2 points. T

El Tri set the tone of the game when they went 1-0 up mid-way in the game through a Vincent Vuoso strike but saw their lead last barely a minute when Juventus star Arturo Vidal restored parity for the host nation with a lovely header. While Mexico did take the lead again just before the half-hour mark, Eduardo Vargas from a header and Vidal, again, from the spot, put the hosts once again in control.

While Chile were comfortably on their way to the knock-outs, Vuoso played the spoilsport again as his sublime tap past Claudio Bravo ensured the two shared the spoils in an entertaining encounter. Here are the 5 talking points from the game -

Mexico's performance refreshing despite weakened team

Mexico’s fightback brought the tournament alive

For all the pre-tournament promise, this year’s Copa America was turning out to be a damp squib. With big teams faltering and struggling to score, this edition of the Latin-American showpiece was turning out to be a dour fest, albiet, until matchday 4. Day 5 however, turned the corner.

Prior to the kick-off, a few miles away in Rancagua, Ecuador and Bolivia played out a thrilling game which saw the former ran out 3-2 winners despite a late surge by El Verde and it was followed by another spectacle in the Chilean capital when Chile were held to a gripping 3-3 draw by a plucky Mexico side.

Despite fielding a weakened side keeping the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup in mind, Mexico proved they aren’t to be taken lightly. Although they relinquished their lead twice, they fought back every time and worked really hard to get back into the match.

Chile were made to slog for every sniff of the net and just when it seemed they have passed a stern test, the Mexicans sprung another surprise when Vuoso poked the ball past Chilean ‘keeper Claudio Bravo to keep the tie very much alive.

The home team continued to try very hard for the winner, but to no avail as they forced to contend with a draw, and also had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside. The game may not have produced a winner, but the fans were served an absolute treat with the 6 goal salvo.

Vidal the hero for Chile

Arturo Vidal was the man for Chile against Mexico

All the attention from the Chilean side was on Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, but his Juventus counterpart Arturo Vidal has instead, turned out to be the side’s hero. He put Chile ahead in the opener against Ecuador from 12 yards out and in this game, was at it again when he bagged a brace to put his side ahead at one point.

Vidal was a battering ram for the Bianconeri side that sweeped the domestic double this year and also reached the Champions League finals and now it appears that the 27-year old has taken up the talismanic mantle for his national side too.

Throughout the game, the midfielder was simply magnificent. He was the pivotal creative force in midfield and provided extra cover in defence when the situation demanded. His sublime evening was made better by the 2 goals he scored, the first of which was an impeccably headed one.

Vidal has become the heartbeat of this Chile side and needs to pull off such top-drawer performances further if Chile are to stand any chance of lifting their maiden trophy.

Mexico show improvement

With manager Miguel Herrera already having declared that their main focus was the Gold Cup tournament, Mexico carried a weakened team to Chile with some of their star attractions such as Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos left out. The Mexicans weren’t expected to put up a challenge in this competition and their opening game against Bolivia further accentuated that.

Mexico were poor in that game, completely lifeless and were rightfully denied a win when they were held 0-0 by Bolivia. In this game against Chile though, the green army were a completely different proposition. They had sorted their game out and looked reinvigorated.

They were much quicker and more lethal in attack and exuded great composure. Although there were certain frailties in their defence which was exposed by Chile, Mexico were, nevertheless, a much-improved side who put up a great fight and added to the entertainment value of the game.

They are still winless in the competition, but the result of this game was encouraging and it may provide them an impetus in their attempt to move to the knock-out rounds when they play Ecuador in the final group game on Friday.

Chile still have work to do

Chile may have shown some quality in attack and the desire to win, but they still have some work to do before they can think of putting their hands on the trophy.

Although they managed to pump in 3 goals, the figure could have easily touched 5 or even 6, had it not been for their profligacy. Shots went wide off the mark and strikers were found off-side while receiving great chances to score. Through balls were limp and easily intercepted whereas defenders looked listless while tracking runs.

Chile were just lucky to escape a defeat but surely won’t be when they’ll up against more clinical teams in Brazil or Argentina in the later stages of the competition. To prevent it, they have to refine their game and sharpen every facet.

All to play for in the final group game

Both Chile and Mexico haven't qualified yet, and all 4 teams can still go through

A win in this game would have made Chile the first team to reach the last 8 but the draw meant that the group is very much alive and all the 4 teams are still in contention for a place in the quarter-finals.

The hosts entertain Bolivia, who are level on points but separated only by goal difference, on Friday. While a draw would be enough to propel them to the next round, it may spell doom for the Bolivians as they will be eliminated if Mexico beat Ecuador by a 3 goal margin.

Chile, however, will be looking to avoid a potential clash with Brazil and thereby will aim to finish at the top of the group. For either Mexico or Ecuador, anything but a victory will see them take a flight back home.