Updated at 17.45
CHILE PLAYED OUT a 3-3 draw against Mexico at the Copa America after a starring display by midfielder Arturo Vidal. Vidal netted a brace, and set up Eduardo Vargas, as Chile twice came from behind before then giving up a second-half lead.
Vicente Vuoso struck twice for Mexico and Raul Jimenez also scored, with the hosts denied a winner by two close offside calls – including Alexis Sanchez appearing to be on when he netted.
Chile top Group A on four points, while Bolivia (4), Mexico (2) and Ecuador (0) are behind them.
It was a cagey opening in Santiago, with neither the hosts nor their opponents able to create much in the opening exchanges. But the game came to life in the 21st minute. Chile were caught outnumbered in defence, and it led to Juan Carlos Medina squaring for Vuoso to scramble in the game’s opening goal.
Jorge Sampaoli’s men responded almost immediately through Vidal. Charles Aranguiz’s corner found the Juventus star unmarked near the penalty spot, and he buried his header into the bottom corner.
The goals continued to come and Mexico retook the lead just before the half-hour mark. Jimenez got on the end of Adrian Aldrete’s corner, somehow directing his header into the corner to put Mexico 2-1 up. B
But, once again, Miguel Herrera’s men would be pegged back. This time it was Vargas with a header, getting on the end of Vidal’s cross in the 42nd minute to level the contest at 2-2. Just 10 minutes into the second half and Vidal’s brilliant outing continued.
He looked to take a Sanchez pass inside the area but was clumsily brought down by Gerardo Flores after taking a touch, earning a penalty. Vidal stepped up and sent Jose de Jesus Corona the wrong way, scoring his second spot-kick in as many games.
Jorge Valdivia rifled in a 64th-minute strike, but it was ruled out after Vidal – who knocked down the header – was ruled offside in a close call. Chile would rue that moment soon after as Vuoso equalised.
Aldrete put Vuoso in behind and he made no mistake with a smart hooked finish past the onrushing Claudio Bravo. Valdivia had a shot go inches wide after wonderful build-up play that finished with Vidal laying off to him on the edge of the area as Chile pushed.
Sanchez thought he had scored the winner with 10 minutes remaining as he tapped in a Mauricio Isla cross, but the flag went up once more as no winner was forthcoming for Chile.
Elswhere, Bolivia defeated Ecuador 3-2.
Yikes! Not what we need before we start… well this is why you need a squad to win a World Cup, Ireland’s depth will be tested.
@Aaron Tynan: big loss in centre but could be a silver lining later in tournament to have Addison as full back option
@BMJF: silver lining henshaw out???? That’s a huge loss!!!! Adisson or Henshaw v SA or NZ give me a break. Kearney will be solid dont worry about him
I’m on my way lads
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: “You’re my Boy Blue”!!!
@#JUSTICE4NOEL:
NOT YET !!!!
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: sorry Noel but no overseas money grabbers allowed.
Ah feck. He just can’t stay fit these days. He was so good last week & for me would have started against the Scots. Hopefully it’s not his World Cup over. Luckily we’ve good cover there but it’s not an ideal way to go into the tournament.
@Kevin: nothing to do with fitness, he did his hamstring. Could happen to anybody.
@Harry Fanning: I’m not just talking about this most recent injury. Henshaw has had a very unlucky run of injuries over the last couple of years.
@Kevin: ever since he left Connacht he’s seemed injury prone.
@David Finn: yup, broke hand against Munster in Thomond. About the only major injury in four seasons with seniors at Connacht…
Hope he recovers but I don’t mind Ringrose and Aki. Ringrose is a dancer, love his play.
Ringrose is just as good a replacement to have. But hopefully if Henshaw recovers in time for SA. That would be a huge boost!
@Harry O’Callaghan: Pretty presumptuous there!
@The Guru: you’re right… could be NZ!
@Sam Ahern: Irish rugby fans becoming increasingly like English football fans.
@The Guru: stirring the pot there
@Harry O’Callaghan: it time for the Italy quarter final
@The Guru: Very insightful
@The Guru: Shurrup ya scruffy fleabag :P
Said it before, has to be something wrong with the training regime when players can’t put 2 games back to back without picking up injuries, Sexton next!
@Martin McKenna: it’s the nature of the game, aging team and it’s about as contact as contact sports can be
@5hbeZh0I: Henshaw has played very little and keeps getting injured, has to be an underlying cause.
@5hbeZh0I:
What does “aging team” have to do with Henshaw ??
Not sure if it was enforced but Addison was pulled from the team for Ulster today at the last minute. Wonder was it a precaution to prevent him being injured if he needs to go to Japan.
@Ruckin’ Hell: God I really need to read articles before I comment
@Ruckin’ Hell: haha it helps. Henshaw bad injury profile, might see Will fly in alright.
A pity. We have good replacements but Aki and Ringrose don’t have the same kind of synergy together.
Loads of comments about Aki and Ringrose covering, nobody mentions that Farrell can do a job at 12, big, strong and abrasive, wouldn’t be shocked if JS picks him to cover Henshaw who is …..big strong and abrasive
@Kevin50: yep, I’d say Farrell could easily be picked instead. Either way ringrose is a class act, hasn’t really been himself the last few months but a lad like him could turn it in a game. Be an awful shame for Ireland & especially henshaw himself if he were to miss out. He’s starting to get tod type luck and in fairness last week he looked class, up against one of the world’s top centre pairings. Looked like he was spot on for a great wc
@Tim Magner: Aki Farrell didn’t work. Not much point in Farrell at 13 if aki only passes after contact. Farrell And ringrose would be better
@Chris Mc: are you saying that because of that 1st Welsh friendly? Cos back in the grand slam year v Wales, Aki & Farrell played and Farrell was mom
Poor fella can’t catch a break.. fingers crossed
Some bodies are just injury-prone and Henshaw’s injury profile is dreadful at this stage. Sad for him and a big blow for Ireland if he’s not available for quarters.
Gutted for him if the issue is confirmed. But as a squad someone else will hopefully get a shot.
What a disaster.
Should never happen in training.
We haven’t even kicked a ball yet and a key guy is out!
What have they been at for the last week?
A few days off and then some unavoidable travel/recovery time.
But 7 days without being on a pitch with a rugby ball?
A week before the biggest game of their careers? Ain’t no expert but It seems odd.
@Oran Burns: why should it not happen in training? Training loads at this stage should be heavy and at match intensity to acclimatise to humidity etc. with loads getting lighter closer to games.
@Oran Burns: nowhere near the biggest game of their careers, it’s a world cup group game. This squad have played grand slam deciders, world cup 1/4 finals and many bigger games. Henshaw has been massively unfortunate but any professional team must train as they mean to play. You cannot train at 75% and expect to ramp it up to 100% on match day. But as you say, your no expert, so il forgive and forget
If he could be fit for a potential qf then he’s worth keeping in the squad.
Is it over yet?
Irish Rugby just had a press conference in Japan at 1am our time. The official word is he “felt a tightness in his hamstring at training yesterday. He will be scanned today and monitored this week. No replacement player has been called up at this stage”. Fingers crossed it is only tightness and not a tear. We can do without him against Scotland, we’ve got coverage. But I feel we’ll definitely need him in the quarter finals, and to play in that game he’ll need minutes in the group games.
Ffs!