Chile and Mexico played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Santiago to keep Group A alive with one match to play.
Copa America hosts Chile twice fell behind in the first half, but Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas both headed home to cancel out goals from Vicente Vuoso and Raul Jimenez.
Chile dominated for long spells after taking the lead with a Vidal penalty, before Vuoso earned a potentially valuable point by scoring his second of the night.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Hello everyone! An exciting Copa America which has already seen a few shocks continues with hosts Chile taking on Mexico in Group A. Before the tournament started both of these sides were eyeing a long run. Chile can earn their spot in the knockout stages tonight. Can Mexico stop them?
Tonight's other Group A fixture has just finished, and it was certainly a surprising result. Bolivia secured their first Copa America win in almost 20 years by recording a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Ecuador, who can no longer reach the next round. Chile just need a win to be certain of their place.
Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas were the heroes as Chile beat Ecuador 2-0 in the opening game of the tournament. Despite not being at their best, Chile's attacking talent was enough on that night and Jorge Sampaoli will want a complete performance in this game. Mexico were, quite simply, not good enough in the goalless draw with Bolivia. They must do better.
In the last meeting between these two sides they played out a goalless draw last September, and it's often been tight in recent times. Chile and Mexico both boast two wins from the last six matches, with the other two games ending in draws.
CHILE: Bravo; Albornoz, Medel, Jara; Isla, Aránguiz, Díaz, Valdivia; Vidal; Alexis, Vargas
MEXICO: Corona; Ayala, Valenzuela, Dominguez, Aldrete, Flores; Guemez, Medina, Tecatito; Vuoso, Jimenez
Matias Fernandez misses out for Chile following his red card in the victory over Ecuador. A goal off the bench from Vargas is enough to earn him a place in the starting lineup, and he starts in attack alongside Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez. Gonzalo Jara, Mauricio Isla and Arturo Vidal all start, too.
As you probably already know, Mexico's star players, including Javier Hernandez, the Dos Santos brothers and Carlos Vela are all missing this tournament ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Head coach Miguel Herrera hands a start to Raul Jimenez in attack, while Juan Carlos Valenzuela replaces the injured Rafael Marquez at the back.
STAT: Chile are the most successful side in the Americas never to have won the competition, finishing as runners-up on four occasions, including in 1955 when they were also the hosts
So, is it time for Alexis Sanchez to light up the tournament in Chile? He's a hero, and he was certainly influential in the win over Ecuador. He'll be desperate to add to his 26 international goals tonight.
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Here we go then. The players are out on the pitch. Just a few handshakes and the national anthems to get out of the way before the action gets underway.
We're running a couple of minutes late, but the two sides are finally ready to get the game started. Chile will have kickoff.
It's a confident start from Chile, who are looking comfortable in possession inside the opening minute of the match.
Sanchez gets on the ball for the first time and the Chileans in the stands quickly react with an expectant cheer, but the Arsenal forward's dangerous cross is collected by Corona.
Valdivia and Vital are looking busy in the early stages as Chile dominate the opening exchanges in midfield. Mexico have been sloppy in possession so far.
If you're a Mexican fan or Miguel Herrera, the start of this game shouldn't be filling you with confidence. Chile are finding space on the wing and the passing just hasn't been good enough from Mexico. However, they win the first corner of the game, which is wasted by Medina.
Better from Chile in attack as Valdivia plays a lovely pass forward for the roaming Vidal, whose cross into the box is cleared before it can find Sanchez.
I can't find a better way to say it. Sanchez is a pest. As brilliant as he is on the ball, he's a manager's dream when he is not in possession. Mexico's defenders are being given a tough time by his pressing high up the pitch.
Chile have certainly been the better side so far, but they need to use the ball better in the final third. Mexico are happy to wait for opportunities on the break. Jimenez finds room before slicing a speculative effort wide from a tight angle.
Surprisingly, Herrera is now probably the happier of the two managers. Mexico are starting to ask a few more questions on the counter, and Chile are struggling to make the most of dominating possession.
GOAL! CHILE 0-1 MEXICO (VUOSO)
This could be a very big goal in Group A. Vargas loses the ball in midfield and Mexico take full advantage. The ball is shifted out wide to Medina, who keeps the move alive to give Vuoso the easy chance of finishing from close range.
GOAL! CHILE 1-1 MEXICO (VIDAL)
Mexico had barely finished celebrating, but the lead is gone! Chile win a corner and a failure to pick up Vidal proves costly as the midfielder powers home a superb header. We could be in for a thriller.
You feel that equalising quickly was key for Chile, who could have been left frustrated had Mexico been allowed to work on the counter for the rest of the night. They'll keep coming at the Mexican defence, but Herrera's side must also be positive.
Patient play from Chile in midfield, and the lively Valdivia creates another opportunity with a clever early cross which Diaz can only nudge wide after storming into the box unchallenged.
OFF THE BAR! Bravo to the rescue for Chile. It's a stunning stop from the Barcelona goalkeeper as he reacts to a Flores header by pushing the ball against the crossbar.
GOAL! CHILE 1-2 MEXICO (JIMENEZ)
It's turning into an excellent evening of entertainment in Santiago. Mexico regain the lead moments after hitting the crossbar as Jimenez loses Jara in the box to meet a corner and find the net with a superb header from a tough position. Brilliant from the Atletico forward.
Sanchez is trying to get involved more often as he begins an attack which only breaks down when Valdivia's pass is cut out by Ayala. The Arsenal attacker then wins a free kick 30 yards from goal, but he can only curl an effort over the crossbar.
Chile put the pressure on again as Valdivia carries the ball across the pitch before playing a clever pass into the box for Isla, who is frustrated to see the offside flag go up.
YELLOW CARD! Are you ever surprised to see Vidal pick up a booking? The midfielder goes to ground when he loses Corona on the wing and he can have no arguments with the caution.
It's just not clicking for Chile, who have struggled to look more convincing at the back. Isla's awful touch invites pressure from Corona, but he manages to clear before his opponent can get through on goal.
Jesus Corona, the FC Twente winger, has been very lively for Mexico, and he displays his confidence by taking on the shot from close to the halfway line. Bravo is happy to watch the ball drift to safety.
GOAL! CHILE 2-2 MEXICO (VARGAS)
I've just seen a third fantastic header and it's not even half time. Chile are fighters and they are back on level terms as Vidal earns space on the wing before delivering the cross to Vargas, who picks out the bottom corner to leave Jose Corona helpless. Poor marking, but a fine finish from the forward.
Chile are pushing for the lead before the break. Mexico simply cannot afford to fall behind. They've played well, and only two sloppy pieces of defending have stopped them from being in front. Herrera breathes a sigh of relief on the touchline when Aranguiz hits a weak effort straight at Jose Corona.
HALF TIME: CHILE 2-2 MEXICO
Chile and Mexico have reached the break on level terms after sharing four goals in a thrilling first half of football in Group A. Twice Mexico have taken the lead, but poor marking has allowed both Vidal and Vargas to head in equalisers. I'm sure the drama is far from over.
Will either manager be thinking about a change at the break? Here's the options for both sides.
CHILE SUBS: Mena, Silva, Fuenzalida, Pinilla, Garces, Rojas, Beausejour, Pizarro, Gutierrez, Henriquez, Herrera
MEXICO SUBS: Marquez, Fabian, Montes, Aquino, Talavera, Salcedo, Osuna, Esqueda, Herrera, Corral, Velarde, Hernandez
Isn't it funny how it works? Vargas, probably considered a flop by most football fans in England, could barely make an impact as QPR lost their Premier League status, but he always delivers the goods for his country!
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Mexico have twice lost their lead quickly. If they score the next goal they need to find a way to shut down the Chile attack quickly for their counter-attacks to carry a big enough threat late in the match. Mexico really must find something from this game.
The players are back out for the second half. Mexico will get the game back underway.
It's a bright start to the second half as Mexico win the ball in midfield and threaten the Chile goal with a Jimenez strike which forces Bravo into a comfortable save.
Sanchez looks desperate to have a say on this match as he charges into the box before losing the ball at the crucial moment. He's roaming into different positions, which must be a concern for Mexico.
Chile win a free kick 25 yards from goal and after threatening with an effort in the first half, Sanchez is set up by a set piece which is taken short, but his shot is deflected and Jose Corona collects.
Sanchez stands over another free kick, but he can only hit the wall this time. Chile waste a couple of opportunities to deliver a cross from good areas as Mexico drop deeper.
Excellent attacking football from Chile as they come forward quickly. Sanchez and Vidal combine to find Vargas, who can only send a tame effort straight at Jose Corona.
PENALTY! Chile's pressure finally brings a reward early in the second half as Flores charges into Vidal inside the box.
GOAL! CHILE 3-2 MEXICO (VIDAL)
Vidal does it again as he fires home the penalty for his third goal of the tournament. Sanchez did brilliantly to create the danger with a clever pass to the Juventus midfielder, who was simply too quick for Flores in the box. Can Mexico hit back? Chile have dominated since the break.
Chile seem to be growing in confidence at both ends of the pitch. Their high-intensity pressing game is back and Mexico are finding it tough to retain possession at the moment. The home supporters are eyeing up that quarter-final spot.
Mexico are attempting to respond by pushing further up the pitch, but that will leave space for the likes of Sanchez and Vargas to cause problems. Valdivia deserves a special mention during a rare quiet period in the game. He has been fantastic on the ball.
SUBSTITUTION: Javier Aquino is off the bench to replace Medina for Mexico.
Moments after giving him some praise Valdivia appears to score an absolute cracker of a goal. A long ball to Vidal is headed back into the path of Valdivia, whose 25-yard strike leaves Jose Corona helpless. However, Vidal had strayed into an offside position.
GOAL! CHILE 3-3 MEXICO (VUOSO)
The drama just keeps on coming! Mexico produce a response, but Chile should not be pleased with this goal. A long ball forward somehow manages to beat the entire defence and Vuoso is too quick for Bravo as he pokes home his second of the game. Incredible.
CHANCE! Chile should be back in front, and the chance fell to the perfect player. They work the ball across the box and Valdivia plays a brilliant reverse pass into the path of Sanchez, who can only send a shot just past the post.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes from both managers as Mexico bring on Carlos Salcedo to replace Aldrete, while Sampaoli brings on Eugenio Mena for Diaz.
CHANCE! Chile miss another great opportunity. Jose Corona commits himself to drive Vidal away from goal in the box, but he finds Valdivia, whose low strike misses the covering defenders but also drifts past the post.
Sanchez produces some brilliant footwork to begin another Chile attack, and he picks the right pass to find Vidal, whose layoff to Mena is poor and the cross is cleared.
SUBSTITUTION: Mexico make their final change as Jesus Corona, who has struggled since the break, comes off to be replaced by Mario Osuna.
Chile have another goal disallowed! Isla finds the room on the right to send in an inviting cross which is tapped in by Sanchez, who was in an offside position when the ball was delivered. Valdivia continues to pull the strings with another excellent pass at the start of that move.
Chile are still looking for the goal which would secure a place in the quarter-finals. With the way this game has been played, I wouldn't be surprised if there was at least one late twist.
SUBSTITUTION: Chile make another change as Vargas jogs off to be replaced by Mauricio Pinilla, who offers a greater physical threat in attack.
It's just not quite clicking for Chile late one. One pass too many puts Vidal in a difficult position on the edge of the box, and his hopeful chip to the back post is too strong for Pinilla.
SUBSTITUTION: Jean Beausejour is the final player off the bench for Chile as Alboroz's night comes to an end.
Jimenez leads a rare break for Mexico as he skips a couple of challenges before a deflected effort gives Bravo the easy chance of collecting the loose ball. Sanchez then sprints away at the other end and wins a corner when his dangerous cross is cleared.
YELLOW CARD! Pinilla wins the ball for Chile on the wing, but he loses control with a poor touch and is booked for a foul on Guemez. Three minutes of added time to be played.
Osuna does well to collect a long ball on the left before cutting back inside, but a speculative strike from 25 yards is charged down by Medel.
Mexico are battling to survive one final spell of pressure from Chile as they look to claim a potentially valuable point in Group A.
Chile win a free kick in the final few seconds, but the ball is cleared away from danger.
FULL TIME: CHILE 3-3 MEXICO
What a match. I'm not sure there will be a more exciting 90 minutes in the rest of the tournament. Chile join Bolivia on four points at the top of Group A, with Mexico two points off the pace. Mexico will take on Ecuador in their final game, and they'll be hoping there is a winner in the match between Chile and Bolivia to make their job easier.
Thanks for joining me for an incredible game. I hope you've enjoyed Sports Mole's coverage. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
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