Less than 12 months after last year’s big win at the 2015 Copa America, Chile seemed to be struggling at the group stage of this Centenario edition. Last year Chile certainly made good use of the sold-out stadiums when it was hosting the Copa America. It helps when walls of red jerseys spur you on. However, this time around, in the US, the team could only rely on its own skills.
Things did not bode well for Chile at the beginning of this group stage. A loss against a Messi-less Argentina and a surprisingly hard win over Bolivia had fans worried. Nevertheless, the team did not give up, and against Panama CHile finally performed well.
Photo: @Emol | Twitter
Chile kept Panama under pressure until the goals came. Panama scored in the fourth minute, but Chile managed to come back with two goals by Edu Vargas (one of the MVPs of last year’s success).
At last.
Alexis Sanchez exploded a first touch volley into Panama’s goal at the beginning of the second half that was more than another number on the scoreboard. It was a statement. It said, “We are still here.” He finished that statement by scoring a brilliant header from the middle of the box for his second goal.
Panama, a country of less than 4 million people (one third of New York City, basically) deserves praises for a well-played group stage. Tonight proves it. Panama did not give up against a better, faster team and almost found an equalizer on several occasions after Chile got back in the lead.
Chile will now have to deal with better, more organized teams and who will require them to find the shape and mentality that made them champions only one year ago. Chile’s problems seem to be orbiting around their defense, as today’s game proved. Chile needs more concentration on this subject.
Chile will have to do much more to convince at the quarterfinals against Mexico if they want to proceed in the tournament, but today’s performance proves that La Roja is back in business… At least for now.
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