Off the wire
• Antibiotic resistance a global threat to health, economy: expert  • Cirque du Soleil to bring Avatar-themed show to China  • News Analysis: Chinese top legislator's visit to S. Korea cements ties, helps ease MERS anxieties  • China go through after 2-2 draw with New Zealand  • 1st Ld-writethru: China to complete land reclamation of construction on some Nansha Islands soon  • IS recruiters infiltrate Australian community center  • Xinhua China news advisory -- June 16  • Canada draw with Netherlands 1-1 to rank first in Group A  • WTA Birmingham results  • ATP Queen's results  
You are here: 　 Home

Mexico draw with Chile in thriller, Bolivia outlast Ecuador

Xinhua, June 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Matias Vuoso brace help Mexico to finish a thrilling 3-3 draw with hosts Chile in their Copa America Group A match here on Monday.

The Chiapas FC striker opened the scoring at Estadio Nacional after Juan Carlos Medina's unselfish pass on the edge of the six-yard box.

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal responded a minute later by a header from a corner.

Raul Jimenez restored Mexico's lead with a looping header before Eduardo Vargas nodded in Vidal's cross to make it 2-2 just before halftime.

The frantic pace of the match continued after halftime and Vidal converted from the spot after he was brought down by Gerardo Flores.

But Mexico again drew level when Adrian Aldrete floated a perfectly weighted pass over Chile's defence, allowing Vuoso to tap in his second goal.

The hosts dominated the latter stages and could consider themselves unlucky not to score a winner.

Jorge Valdivia had a goal disallowed after provider Vidal was ruled offside and Alexis Sanchez was likewise denied in a close call by the linesman after bundling in from close range.

Both Valdivia and Sanchez were also guilty of frittering away chances by firing wide of the target in the final minutes.

The result left Chile top of the Group with four points, ahead of Bolivia on goal difference. Mexico are third with two points.

Earlier, Marcelo Moreno scored one goal and created another as Bolivia outlasted a fast-finishing Ecuador 3-2 in Valparaiso.

The 27-year-old Changchun Yatai striker set up Martin Smedberg for Bolivia's second goal following Ronald Raldes' opener at Estadio Elias Figueroa Brander.

Moreno then netted from the penalty spot after Damian Lizio was pulled down by Frickson Erazo.

Enner Valencia and Miller Bolanos gave Ecuador hope with second half goals, but Bolivia held on to win their first Copa America match since 1997.

Bolivia need only to draw their final group clash against Chile on Friday to progress to the next phase. Having lost their first two matches, Ecuador are almost certainly out of contention for the knockout stage. Endi