Mexico v Chile – Sunday 4 September – Barcelona (18:00)
Mexico v Chile
Domestic football takes a rest this weekend as International fixtures come to the fold. There are both AFCON and EURO qualifiers as well as friendly encounters for those countries that don’t part take in either tournament. This weekend sees North America’s Mexico go up against South America’s Chile in Barcelona.
Mexico has been a strong, well organized team for a fairly long period and is seen as one of the power houses of world football. They had an average 2010 World Cup in South Africa, making it through to the last 16 via a better goal difference. They were eventually outdone 2-1 by their neighbours Argentina. They had a much better performance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011, demolishing the likes of Cuba 5-0 and ultimately being crowned champions which ensured them a path into the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. Manager Jose Manuel de la Torre has tampered a lot with his current squad bringing in fresh faces to add to the depth. The name on every Mexican’s lips is without a doubt Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, the youngster has been tipped to play a major role in the national squad for many years to come and has been the favorite to take over the captaincy band from Rafael Marquez. This Mexican team is on an incline and have a lot of talented youngsters coming through the ranks.
Chilean football is on a rise after going through a rough patch. Chile has always been a figure in world football taking part in eight world cups in recent times. Chile had an average 2010 World cup as they made it through the group stages, beating the likes of Honduras and Switzerland on their way. They were eventually outclassed by the tournaments favorites and South American giants Brazil 3-0. In the recent Copa America 2011, Chile proved their critics wrong making the quarter-finals beating the likes of Mexico and Peru on the way. They did however suffer a shock result when they were dumped out of the cup by minnows Venezuela 2-1. Since then Chile have yet to lose and are in a rich vein of form. With new sensation Alexis Sanchez leading the line and recording 14 goals in 41 appearances there is no wonder Chile have moved up to 8th spot on the FIFA world rankings. Manager Claudio Borghi will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten record thus far and improve on their FIFA ranking.
Although this might be a friendly, both teams will be going to gain the victory and get revenge as these two met in the Copa America with Chile being the victors and that should be the same outcome in this encounter.
