'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In one of the most lop-sided games ever seen in the Copa America, Chile annihilated Mexico by 7-0 to cruise into the semi-finals and set up a date with Colombia. Eduardo Vargas bagged four, whereas Edson Puch netted a brace. Alexis Sanchez got one as well, as the defending champions ran riot in Santa Clara.
El Tricolor, who were the real favourites here, were horribly exposed at the back as Chile pounced on them like a pack of wolves devouring a docile deer. Edson Puch and Eduardo Vargas had put the holders 2-0 up at the break but added more gloss to the scoreline in the second half in a stunning attacking display of football from the Reds.
Whilst it was joy and gay for Juan Antonio Pizzi and his side, Mexico were left with a lot of introspection to do ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. Here are some of the major talking points from the 4th quarter-final in California.
#1 Chile back to their rip-roaring best
Defending champions Chile had a stop-start title defense so far in the competition, but were well and truly back to their optimal best as they made mincemeat of Mexico.
Right from the off, La Roja were in cruise control of the game and once they found a breakthrough, there was no looking back. Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas, Alexis Sanchez all combined well to make a mockery of the Mexican defense and gave the scoreboard a scarcely believable tally.
Chile had their doubts when they were beaten by Argentina in the opening game and ousted Venezuela by only a hair’s breadth. The 4-2 victory over Bolivia in the final group game although quelled the scepticisms a little, it’s their quarter-final performance that has given them a renewed hope in the competition.
Onwards and upwards.
#2 Mexico blown out of water
In the scenes reminiscent of Germany’s 7-1 shellacking of Brazil in 2014 FIFA World Cup, Mexico saw their 22-game unbeaten streak come to an abrupt end and how. They were not only frail at the back, but were also futile in the attack as The Tricolor were completely outplayed, outsmarted and outmaneuvered.
Having made six changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Venezuela, coach Juan Carlos Osorio introduced some of the key players such as Guillermo Ochoa, Jesus Corona and Javier Hernandez et al back in the team. Yet, Mexico were very putrid in their showings and were dumped out of the contest in the most humiliating of ways possible.
The reigning CONCACAF Gold Cup champions started their campaign with an encouraging 3-1 win over Uruguay, and very few would’ve thought it would end like this. Manager Osorio is left with a lot of fish to fry ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
#3 Vargas has a night to remember
Chile made a real statement of intent with such a resounding win, but it wouldn’t have been possible without their talismanic winger Eduardo Vargas, who punched holes in the Mexican backline and bagged a ‘super hat-trick’.
The Hoffenheim man was always at the right place at the right time. With the Mexican defense parting like the red sea, there were acres of space for Vargas to run in and tap home. The 26-year old also showed some wonderful piece if skills while netting his second and fourth goal.
Four goals on the night, and Vargas finds himself as the front-runner in the race for Golden Boot with 6 in all and also moved 4th in the all-time scoring charts for Chile with 31 thus far. All in a night which Vargas will cherish for long.
#4 Edson Puch sees a light in his Chilean career
Edson Puch has had a turbulent international career with Chile. Having made his debut back in 2009, chances came few and far between for him. With only 6 appearances and none in a major international for the Reds until 2016, Puch’s Chile career was down in the dumps. But after his 2-goal heroics today, there’s a renewed hope.
The 30-year old scored his first international goal when he tucked away a rebound from Guillerme Ochoa for the opener, and got his second late on when he capped off a terrific evening for Chile with an equally terrific lob over Ochoa.
The Mexico-based player had to wait for long to get a genuine shot with Chile, and now that he finally has, Puch has grabbed it both hands and revived his career.
#5 Can this momentum propel Chile to another Copa America glory?
To go by their performance in the group games, Chile looked far from retaining the Copa America title they earned on home soil last year. La Roja lacked a flair in their game and many of the star names who played a vital role in the triumph last year, seemed out of form. But after today’s historic win, the dynamics may change again.
Juan Carlos Pizzi’s troops were running high on confidence and had their rings all over the match. With some precise and accurate passing style of play, Chile opened up Mexico’s rearguard deftly and grabbed the game with their cutting edge, burying every chance that came their way.
It was a night where virtually everything went well for the holders, and the momentum is on their side again. But will it steer them to a second straight Copa America triumph ? Or is this just a one off ? We shall wait and see.
