Goals flow freely at Copa América as Mexico deny hosts early opportunity to progress

Vidal scored his second penalty in two games to give Chile the lead, but it did not prove enough to beat Mexico ©Getty Images

Mexico and hosts Chile shared a thrilling 3-3 draw in their second Group A of the Copa América , on a day where goals were in plentiful supply as Bolivia overcame Ecuador in another high scoring match.

Having beaten Ecuador in Friday’s (June 12) tournament opener, Chile knew that a victory over Mexico in Santiago would ensure progression to the quarter-finals with one match to spare, while their North American opponents were aiming for a first win having drawn their first game.

Vicente Matías Vuoso got Mexico off the mark after just 20 minutes as he was able to find the net from close range after Chile were unable to defend a cross to the far post.

The lead latest barely a minute, though, with Arturo Vidal losing his marker at a corner to plant a superb header beyond Jesús Corona in the Mexico goal to restore parity.

Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez and Chile’s Eduardo Vargas then traded headed goals of their own as the sides ended a breathless first half with the scores level, before Chile were presented with the opportunity to take the lead for the first time in the match from the penalty spot after Gerardo Flores brought down Vidal in the box.

Vidal, who had dispatched a penalty in the opening match, picked himself up to send Corona the wrong way to the delight of the home crowd.

Their joy was short-lived, though, as Vuoso also completed his brace by calmly slotting past Bravo in the Chile goal which secured his team a second point.

The Chilean crowd were even more frustrated by the close of the match having had two goals controversially ruled out for offside.

Bolivia recorded their first Copa America win since 1997 ©AFP/Getty Images

Chile remain on course to qualify as they currently sit joint top of the group with Bolivia, after they secured their first Copa América victory since 1997, overcoming Ecuador 3-2 in Valparaíso.

Early goals from Ronald Raldes and Martin Smedberg-Dalance saw Bolivia race into a 2-0 lead, before Ecuador’s Enner Valencia missed golden opportunity to bring his side back into the match as he saw a penalty saved.

Marcelo Moreno made no mistake at the other end when Bolivia were awarded a penalty of their own, to give his side a stunning 3-0 lead at the break.

Complacency may have been a factor in the second half as Valencia struck before a stunning long-range effort from Miller Bolaños reduce Bolivia’s advantage to 3-2, but they held on to secure victory.

Tomorrow is due to see tournament favourites Argentina take on holders Uruguay in Group B, following Paraguay’s match with Jamaica.