Mexico and Bolivia kick off their Copa America campaigns on Saturday when they clash at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar. Both sides will be looking to avoid defeat, as such a result would seriously damage their hopes of reaching the next round. Bolivia have beaten Mexico just once and were beaten on nine occasions. The only win for Bolivia was in the Copa America though, in 1997.
Mexico have entered the Copa America in 1993 and have been an important factor in the competition ever since. They were runners-up in the first tournament and have failed to qualify from the group stages only on one occasion, in 2011. They had a good performance at the World Cup last year when the qualified from a group with Cameroon, Croatia and Brazil and were defeated by the Netherlands in the first knockout round. Mexico also have the Gold Cup next month, and coach Miguel Herrera seems to have his eyes on that trophy as he decided to rest several players for that occasion, including Javier Hernandez, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera and Diego Reyes.
Bolivia have played the final of the Copa America on two occasions and even won it once, in 1963, while Brazil defeated them in 1997. However, on both occasions they had the advantage of being the host nation. They have not won a single game in the last five editions of the tournament and won just two of their 16 matches in the previous World Cup qualifying campaign.
Probable line-ups:
Mexico: Corona - Dominguez, Marquez, Ayala - Corral, Osuna, Fabian, Aldrete - Herrera, Jesus, Jimenez
Bolivia: Quinonez - Rodriguez, Eguino, Zenteno, Morales - Bejarano, Gamarra - Escobar, Lizio, Smedberg-Dalence - Moreno
My prediction: Mexico to win 2-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Mexico win - 1.57 Draw - 4.20 Bolivia win - 5.50
galata86 8 years ago
Mexico had not gone with the strongest team in the Copa America. But I still expected to win Bolivia. Bolivia is the team that usually wins at home. In this group will be a big fight for second place. I think the first place reserved for Chile.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This was not so interesting match.Goalless draw.That is result that will more satisfy Bolivia than Mexico.Mexico fans will definitely be devastated with this result.Bolivia is not team that is capable doing big things at this tournament. Even worse thing for Mexico is the fact that they were not ominant in the field.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Thanks guys, and just like I said... Mexico is not team with world class players who can score every match and be the heroes and Bolivia with strong defense can save net against that teams. Also I felt in one moment that Mexico don't have enough motive, while Bolivia was fighting for every ball... Bolivia deserved this...
Thanks guys, and just like I said... Mexico is not team with world class players who can score every match and be the heroes and Bolivia with strong defense can save net against that teams. Also I felt in one moment that Mexico don't have enough motive, while Bolivia was fighting for every ball... Bolivia deserved this point that is sure and maybe more...
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seculla 8 years ago
Very "unusual" match for Copa America. I really expected at least one goal in almost every match that will be played in this tournament. This is great result for Bolivia and a draw equal to "loose" for Mexico. This is just one from three matches that this teams will play in group stage in Copa America and there is still...
Very "unusual" match for Copa America. I really expected at least one goal in almost every match that will be played in this tournament. This is great result for Bolivia and a draw equal to "loose" for Mexico. This is just one from three matches that this teams will play in group stage in Copa America and there is still chance for Mexico to qualify, but it will be hard against Chile and Ecuador, which proves in that match against Chile that they know to fight.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Nice prediction Johnajax, in fact I had some doubts too that Mexico is going to win that one and bet some money at the half time that the game is going to finish with a draw. We can't speak for huge surprise here but still it's a some sort of a surprise because Mexico is the better team.
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rikimartin4444_115925 8 years ago
You were right Johnajax. Bolivia were strong enough in defense and they won one point from this game. Mexico tried to score, but they were not so good in offensive play. Bolivia were better team in first half, missed few chances and I think that they could won more than one point. Mexico need to push harder if they want...
You were right Johnajax. Bolivia were strong enough in defense and they won one point from this game. Mexico tried to score, but they were not so good in offensive play. Bolivia were better team in first half, missed few chances and I think that they could won more than one point. Mexico need to push harder if they want to pass group stage.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
Mexico is better team and that is clear but Copa America is very important special or country from South America. Mexico is from central America and they don't have same motive like Bolivia. I think that Bolivia have chance here at least to win one point and they will try to play hard with good defense and maybe they avoid...
Mexico is better team and that is clear but Copa America is very important special or country from South America. Mexico is from central America and they don't have same motive like Bolivia. I think that Bolivia have chance here at least to win one point and they will try to play hard with good defense and maybe they avoid loss here.
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sharpe 8 years ago
I don't know what is the current condition of these two teams but on paper Mexico have to be a huge favourite for that one. Bolivia is one of the struggling teams in South America for the last maybe five or even more years but it's always tough to predict games when the tournament starts and still is unknown in what shape...
I don't know what is the current condition of these two teams but on paper Mexico have to be a huge favourite for that one. Bolivia is one of the struggling teams in South America for the last maybe five or even more years but it's always tough to predict games when the tournament starts and still is unknown in what shape the teams are.
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seculla 8 years ago
Many things looks "clear" in this match, Mexico have much better players than Bolivia, and I don't see how they can loose this game. But there are always chance the "weaker" team to win, especially when it comes to Copa America, as I said in my previous comment. I expect great game and I think that there will be many goals.
Many things looks "clear" in this match, Mexico have much better players than Bolivia, and I don't see how they can loose this game. But there are always chance the "weaker" team to win, especially when it comes to Copa America, as I said in my previous comment. I expect great game and I think that there will be many goals.
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