The champs are still alive. Chile is back in the quarterfinal of the Copa America thanks to its stars stepping up in the group stage. However, their road to a successful title defense must go through the last team (aside from Argentina) to deny them victory at the Copa: Mexico. Will there be a repeat performance of their thrilling 3-3 game from last year’s tournament?
Get a full breakdown of this very spicy 2016 Copa America Centenario quarterfinal. And for more Saturday soccer action, check out our preview of the Belgium vs. Ireland Euro 2016 matchup.
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It wasn’t always impressive, but the Mexicans got the job done during the Copa America Centenario group stage. After beating what turned out to be an underwhelming Uruguay 3-1 in the opener, El Tri looked a bit shaky despite beating Jamaica 2-0.
They then needed to come from behind to get a draw with Venezuela, which snapped their nine-match winning run under manager Juan Carlos Osorio. However, that was with a weakened lineup as Osorio decided to rest some of his stars. Their 22-game unbeaten run is also still intact.
Jesus “Tecatito” Corona, who’s been one of the breakout stars of the tournament, came off the bench to score a sublime solo effort goal against Venezuela, which gave Mexico the draw needed to avoid Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Tecatito and Chicharito, Javier Hernandez, will lead a very potent Mexican attack. Chicharito has just one goal in the tournament thus far, but the next one he scores will give him a share of the country’s all-time goalscoring mark. Chicharito will be eager to test Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who has been very unconvincing in the tournament.
El Tri will be without winger Javier Aquino after he suffered an injury early in the Venezuela game. But 20-year-old Hirving Lozano has played every game in the tournament thus far, and should be able to provide a canny threat from the wing opposite Corona.
Mexico has won 17 of the 31 all-time meetings with Chile.
Chile did what was expected and finished second to Argentina in Group D. After losing 2-1 in that opening game to Argentina, La Roja handled their business against their two inferior groupmates – Bolivia (2-1) and Panama (4-2).
Despite the change in playing style, Chile’s stars have shone brightly in this tournament. Arturo Vidal scored both of the team’s goals against Bolivia, while forwards Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez both scored twice against Panama.
However, Chile’s defense has been less than impressive. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in three games, with Bravo culpable for both goals against Panama.
Mexico’s own defense hasn’t been all that airtight, either. That unit was shaky against Jamaica, and Osorio’s unusual tactic of rotating goalkeepers is a dangerous one. With the attacking talents Chile has with Vidal, Vargas and Sanchez, Chile has the weapons to finally expose Mexico’s unstable goalkeeping situation.
La Roja are unbeaten in their last three meetings against Mexico in the Copa (one win, two draws).
Writer’s Prediction
Mexico edges out a very competitive 2-1 win (+143).
