Chile v Mexico: Hosts on brink of quarter-finals

Chile can book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals with a victory over Mexico on Monday.

The tournament hosts kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 win over Ecuador, and a subsequent goalless draw between Mexico and Bolivia handed them the chance to wrap up their progression with a game to spare.

Like Chile, Mexico will have designs on making it out of Group A and their failure to beat Bolivia will have come as a disappointing blow to their chances.

Miguel Herrera insisted last week that the squad he had brought to Chile was not a 'B' team, with key figures such as Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos rested ahead of the Gold Cup.

Indeed, only one of the 35 men named in the provisional squad for that competition is currently with Mexico at the Copa America - winger Jesus Corona.

Herrera may now view the clash with Chile as a must-not-lose encounter and says he is well aware of the threat posed by Jorge Sampaoli's side.

"We will work for what it takes to play Chile," he said. "It is a team with skilled players, especially Alexis Sanchez - he is a very dangerous guy.

"It will be a very difficult match and we will concentrate very hard in order to win the ball and keep it. 

"The important thing is to stay strong."

Mexico were further hit on Saturday by the news that veteran Rafa Marquez would be forced to sit out the remainder of the group stage with a leg injury.

The 36-year-old lasted just over an hour in his side's opener before being replaced by Javier Aquino.

Matches between these nations are generally tight affairs, with just one of the last 17 meetings being settled by a margin of more than one goal (Chile 0-2 Mexico in 2001).

There was no separating the sides when they played out a goalless draw in the United States in September, but it was Chile who edged the last competitive encounter, winning 2-1 in the group stage of the 2011 Copa.

Latest in
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Latest in News
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger