Copa America roundup: Chile, Mexico play to thrilling 3-3 draw; Bolivia’s first CA win in 18 years

A quick, comprehensive roundup of Monday’s 2015 Copa America action, featuring the second round of games in Group A. Two games, 11 goals scored — soccer insanity in South America, just like we like it.

Chile 3-3 Mexico

Though Monday’s late game had much to live up to in order to top the day’s early game, Chile and Mexico did their part in a game which could have easily had eight goals or more, if not for poor refereeing decisions and a bit more finishing touch one inch this way or the other.

Matias Vuoso scored the first of six goals in El Tri‘s 3-3 draw with hosts Chile. Vuoso turned home Juan Carlos Medina’s cut-back pass inside the penalty area, beating Claudio Bravo in the 21st minute. A minute later, Arturo Vidal equalized for La Roja when he rose above the pack and headed home Charles Aranguiz’s floated corner kick (below video).

Sometimes, the easy pass is best. @kingarturo23 thought he was @Neymarjr for a moment. He’s not! #beINCopaAmerica http://t.co/shv6E6VMSv

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 15, 2015

[ MORE: Brazil beat Peru in stoppage time | Argentina draw Paraguay despite Aguero, Messi goals ]Raul Jimenez put Mexico back in the lead just seven minutes later, when he put his head on the end of Adrian Aldrete’s near-post corner kick service. Jimenez looped a header just under the crossbar and inside the near post (below video), beating the outstretched Bravo once again. Eduardo Vargas answered back and equalized once again with a header of his own in the 42nd minute, turning home Vidal’s pinpoint cross to the penalty spot.

Ay, ay ay! Raul_Jimenez9 with the form that landed him on bench most of year with @Atleti. 0-0. #beINCopaAmerica http://t.co/elQNt9nQId

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 15, 2015

Vidal contributed his third goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, when he was taken down inside the penalty and won his side a spot kick. Vidal stepped up and converted from the spot himself. The Chileans’ lead was short-lived, though, as Vuoso bagged his second of the game when he poked home Aldrete’s cutting long ball over the top (below video) to draw the game level at 3-3.

UNBELIEVABLE!!! VUOSO TIES IT AGAIN for @miseleccionmx. FANTASTIC GAME! FANTASTIC COPA 3-3. #beINCopaAmerica http://t.co/39YR28Ixf8

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 16, 2015

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez netted what looked to be a possible Chilean winner in the 80th minute, only to see his finish from close range ruled out by a poor offside call.

Chile remain on top of Group A, a goal ahead of Bolivia on goal differential, while Mexico currently occupy third place with two points from two games.

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Ecuador 2-3 Bolivia

Bolivia picked up their first Copa America victory since 1997 when they knocked off Ecuador, 3-2, in the first game of the day. El Verde raced out to a 3-0 halftime lead before watching their three-goal advantage shrink and nearly disappear completely in the final 45 minutes.

Ronald Raldes opened the scoring with a diving header after five minutes. Martin Smedberg-Dalence doubled the lead with a blast (below video) from more than 20 yards out 13 minutes later, and Marcelo Moreno converted from the penalty spot — something West Ham United’s Ecuadorian forward Enner Valencia couldn’t do a second time (encroachment into the box) just minutes earlier — to make the score 3-0 just before the halftime whistle.

GOAL! #BOL double lead, Swedish born Smedberg-Dalence with a superb finish! #ECU in shock... #beINCopaAmerica http://t.co/KkZKhdZqxY

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 15, 2015

Ecuador’s comeback began shortly after halftime, though, when Valencia slotted home into an open net following a perfect cross from Jefferson Montero. Miller Bolaños cut the lead down once more in the 81st minute, when he hammered a curling, dipping shot past the goalkeeper (below video) from 25 yards out.

WHAT A GOAL! Bolanos with a MISSILE! SENSATIONAL! 2-3, can @FEFecuador do this? #beINCopaAmerica http://t.co/1LmUNwWg6e — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) June 15, 2015

With Monday’s victory, Bolivia (4 points), who currently sit second in Group A, are all but through to the quarterfinal round of the tournament for the first time since 1997 as just one third-place team (of which two of three advance) currently has more than one point (Mexico).

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