Eduardo Vargas leapt in the air and pumped his right fist in triumph as his shaggy hair swayed in the Bay Area breeze, only further demoralizing Mexico on the worst night in El Tri’s storied history.
So much for Chile to celebrate as Vargas scored a career-high four goals, Edson Puch added two and the defending champions thoroughly dismantled Mexico from every angle in a 7-0 Copa America Centenario quarter-final trouncing on Saturday.
“Everyone knows that we are the champions and today we showed it,” said Vargas, dedicating his performance to his family.
Photo: EPA
Thousands of Mexico’s frustrated fanaticos were already long gone by the time El Tri’s worst defeat in a competitive match finally ended, right along with their team-record unbeaten streak in embarrassing fashion at 22 matches. It occurred one day shy of a year since Mexico’s previous loss, to Ecuador in the Copa America group stages.
“First, I’d like to offer my most heartfelt apologies to the Mexican fans,” Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. “Today was a shameful presentation, an accident that happens in soccer. Obviously, there are bigger tragedies, but speaking in terms of sports, today was a very, very poor showing on our part. I repeat my apologies to all the people and fans.”
Mexico’s fans still regularly used their traditional homophobic chant, even after being urged to stop by tournament organizers, national sport officials and players, especially in the wake of the Orlando shootings.
After Vargas found the net for the final time in the extraordinary display of shot-making, the star forward celebrated yet again with hi teammates, who left no question they have plans to follow up the nation’s first Copa America win last year with another special run.
Alexis Sanchez had a goal and two assists, while Puch scored the bookends for Chile — starting things off in the 16th minute and punctuating the dominant night with an 88th-minute strike.
Fifth-ranked Chile, the runners-ups in Group D to top-ranked Argentina, matched their scoring total from the entire three-game group stage.
La Roja advance to take on Colombia in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Chicago and coach Juan Antonio Pizzi guarded against getting too high from the stunning result.
There is a quick turnaround.
“First of all, with much happiness, I don’t think it’s easy to be the coach of a team that has this kind of superiority on the pitch like we did today against an opponent of that quality,” Pizzi said. “It’s such a prestigious tournament, so you might imagine the feelings we have of much happiness and at the same time caution. We are very conscientious of our work, and know there are high points and low points.”
A sold-out stadium of 70,547 that began the night with the atmosphere of a Mexico home game quickly emptied of El Tri green-clad supporters as the clock wound down.
Vargas scored the first goal of his big night in the 44th minute, five minutes after an offside call cost him another, then added goals in the 52nd, 57th and 74th minutes.
El Tri’s worst competitive loss had been 6-0 to Germany in the group stage of the 1978 FIFA World Cup, while they were beaten 8-0 by England in a 1961 friendly.
“I assume and accept all responsibility for this defeat,” said Osorio, who said no when asked if he would step down, though he plans to evaluate all of his decisions.
Chile’s only other win against Mexico in the Copa America came in a 2-1 victory in 2011.
Sanchez found Vargas in the 44th minute to send Chile into halftime with a nice cushion, then scored himself in the 49th minute off a pass from Arturo Vidal.
Puch got things going in the 16th minute for Chile after capitalizing on a deflected shot by Marcelo Diaz off Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. After Puch controlled the rebound on Diaz’s shot he had an open net with Ochoa still out of position and beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Sanchez’s 34th goal for Chile tied him with Ivan Zamorano for second on the team’s career scoring list behind Marcelo Salas with 37.
What began as a fiesta of Mexican fans outside, with makeshift concerts and countless cheers, turned into a forgettable night in a hurry with this result. Ashamed, Mexico players passed through the mixed zone offering apologies.
“The first thing we have to do is ask for the fans to forgive us,” goalkeeper Ochoa said.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely