Mexico vs. Chile: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Friendly | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Javier Hernandez already had reason to celebrate Wednesday night. It was his 28th birthday. But with one sensational header, he gave his country a reason to party all night along with him.
The Mexico forward scored a goal in the 86th minute, giving his country a 1-0 win over Chile in their friendly match in San Diego.
The two squads, who were playing in a packed Qualcomm Stadium, are in preparation mode for the 2016 Copa America. The international event will get underway June 3 in the United States.
"It's a great opportunity to play against a rival with elite players," said Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio before the match, per Tom Marshall of ESPN.com. "It's no coincidence they won (the last) Copa America."
Coming in as a sub in the 78th minute, Chicharito brought life to what had been a dormant Mexican attack. He helped almost immediately lead El Tri into the attacking zone and then knocked through the game-winning goal as time ran down in the scoreless affair.
The goal itself was a brilliant highlight that counts among his best of the year. Taking a cross that seemed a bit out of his reach, the Bayer Leverkusen man headed the ball past Alfredo Talavera, tumbling to the ground and almost barrel-rolling with his momentum.
As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, the goal also put him in position for history:
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfoChicharito breaks the scoreless tie in the 86th minute! He is now two goals shy of tying Jared Borgetti for most goals in Mexico history.
Overall, Mexico is 7-0-0 under Osorio without a single goal conceded. ESPN Stats & Info noted El Tri broke its record for holding opponents scoreless for 723 minutes.
Still, this was anything but an easy matchup. Chicharito's goal was one of just two shots on target for the Mexicans, and Chile outshot them 22-6 overall. The Copa America holders also claimed possession for 60 percent of the match and were the clear aggressors on the attack.
Chile spent the entire first half dominating, peppering the Mexico zone with a series of shots and goal opportunities that fell just short.
The Chileans held a 14-0 shot advantage at the break, but time and again Mexico found a way to thwart the attack. Talavera did his job when called upon and saw his defense block shot after shot, with Chile also missing its fair share of attempts via bad strikes.
Cesar Hernandez and Marshall of ESPN each offered thoughts at the half:
Tom Marshall @mexicoworldcupWorst half under Osorio by a distance. Chile impressive. Mexico lucky to be going in level at half-time.
Cesar Hernandez @cesarhfutbolNot very many positives from Mexico during the first 45 for Mexico. Chile unlucky to not have a goal.
The second half played out far closer to even, with Mexico finally mounting some offense of own. It was clear Osorio made adjustments at the halftime break to counter the Chile attack, and Mexico was able to use its own brand of careful play to its advantage. Chile recorded 21 fouls to Mexico's 13, including four yellow cards—all coming in the second half.
By the time Chicharito scored, it felt more natural that Mexico had mounted a challenge than had he come in and chipped a lucky one in the first half. Chile on the aggregate was still the far better team over the full 90 minutes but couldn't capitalize when it needed.
Now both teams move onto the Copa America, with Chile looking to defend its crown and Mexico among a huge group of rabid contenders.
Chile is part of Group D with Argentina, Panama and Bolivia. The Chileans get the toughest group match with Argentina out of the way Monday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Mexico is considered one of the favorites in Group C with Uruguay. El Tri get the group stage underway Sunday with a head-to-head match with an Uruguay squad that could be without star Luis Suarez.
Still, despite good fortune, there is no way El Tri can come out with the lackadaisical approach it had for the first half Wednesday night and beat Uruguay. Edinson Cavani is no slouch in his own right and can make Mexico's defense pay if Suarez is out.
A win is nonetheless a win, though, and Mexico may have finally found a boss capable of getting the country back where it needs to go.
Post-Game Reaction
Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi offered his thoughts on the result and proclaimed he is "relaxed" after the win, despite any nerves that may have been felt en route to victory, per Marshall:
Tom Marshall @mexicoworldcupPizzi: I'm very relaxed about the level we showed and that the results will come.
Mexico and Chile are each operating under managers who have taken over their respective teams in the past 12 months, and both Osorio and Pizzi have certain tactical expectations.
Per Goal's Jon Arnold, El Tri chief Osorio believes the clash with Chile was a welcome lesson in terms of adapting to different opposition:
Jon Arnold @ArnoldcommaJonJuan Carlos Osorio speaking at news conference. Says MX learned lesson how to play vs. three midfielders in middle.
Pizzi also offered an update on Arturo Vidal, who is arguably the most critical player to the team heading into the Copa America:
Tom Marshall @mexicoworldcupPizzi on Vidal: The medical staff's initial report is that he is fine and will be ready to face Argentina.
South American podcaster Adam Brandon also provided comments from Vidal, who confirmed it was a "bit of a pull" on his groin that forced him off.
Chile fans will hope the blow isn't a severe one as they look to preserve their best lineup for the upcoming Copa clashes.
