Chile hit seven past shellshocked Mexico at Copa

Vargas shared the Golden Boot at the 2015 Copa America with Peru’s Paolo Guerrero; both had four.

It is probably the toughest test that Osorio has faced as Mexico head coach and one that could yet define the length of his term given how fragile support often proves to be in a country packed full of media outlets happy to endlessly discuss and critique each and every minor detail surrounding the national team.

But things are gradually changing and in Chile, a nation which has constructed an image of itself as essentially “mestizo” – with a mix of indigenous and European influences (where Afro-Chileans are virtually invisible), it is not so much the politics of race, but politics per se that the Copa America has addressed. Lose, and there will be a backlash from critics that have already thrown some opening jabs. “[My role] isn’t interesting”. Last month, soccer’s governing body FIFA fined the Mexican federation $57,000 for the fans’ behavior in the past year.

El Tri gave up three goals in a nine-minute span early in the second half Saturday. Chile has gone on a cross-country run through the tournament, playing five matches in the last 17 days and traveling from San Diego to MA to Philadelphia and now back to Santa Clara.

The meticulously prepared Osorio is weighing his options to face La Roja.

Despite the advantages in a loud fan following and a big winning streak, Mexico actually comes into the match as an underdog against Chile. Prior to their last game, Mexico had looked dominant, with a 3-1 win over Uruguay and a 2-0 win over Jamaica leaving many to tip them as underdogs for overall victory in the competition. Rafa Marquez returned to camp Friday afternoon after quick trip to Guadalajara to be present for the birth of his baby boy and is available. The Hoffenheim forward found space when a Mexican defender slipped and buried his shot for a 2-0 halftime lead. However, Chile did appear to have the better side on paper, and almost displayed why in the 10th minute itself, with Arturo Vidal lofting a gorgeous ball for Edson Puch to chase, but the Chilean striker was excellently marshalled and saw his blocked shot loop wide of Ochoa’s goal. Chile is enduring a less enchanted adjustment to life under a new coach: the team has lost more games (four) than it has won (three) since Juan Antonio Pizzi took over in January.

Vargas grabbed a second a minute before half-time to stun the crowd into silence as the teams headed in for the break.

Mexico wants to complete a remarkable year Saturday by defeating Chile.

But there was a notable difference when they talked about preparation for potential penalty kicks.

Javier Hernandez scored a goal as Mexico beat Chile 1-0 in a pre-Copa America match.

“I made all the mistakes”, he said in Spanish.