Chile Copa America Profile: Hope for La Roja

Published by adam | Filed under Copa America, Football (aka soccer)

Arturo Vidal heads in the winner

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If you remember Chile playing Spain in the World Cup South Africa, then you probably remember what an exciting team they are to watch. Chile finished in the last 16 of World Cup 2010, and impressed many with their tiki-taka offensive style of play. Chile however, has exited four of the last seven Copa America tries in the group stage, reaching the semis only once in that period. Although Chile has never won the Copa America, they have been improving in ranks and in style as of late. Notable since last summer, they are unbeaten in 6 matches, one of which they comfortably beat Uruguay, 2-0.

Chile are perhaps the Dark-Horse of the tournament and with both Brazil and Argentina looking dull in their first game, Coach Claudio Borghi and the Chileans have a legitimate chance of winning the Copa America for the first time in their history.


In Chile’s first game, they faced off against Gold Cup winners Mexico in a very competitive match. As we have seen, the Gold Cup competition is steep. Chile came back after suffering a goal to Mexico in the first half to beat them 2-1; with the win moving them to the top of Group C. Paredes scored the first goal, which opened things up and put Mexico on the back foot. The Beyer Leverkusen forward Arturo Vidal scored the all-important winner in the 72nd minute. Although not as highly rated as Barcelona target Alexis Sanchez, Vidal is a player to watch during the tournament.





Gary Medal, otherwise known as the ‘Pitbull’, spoke before the tournament of Copa glory, and this hope could become a reality for La Roja. Their next game is against rivals Uruguay on July 8th at 19:15 local time. Uruguay drew their first game 1-1 with Peru so will be hungry to get all three points against Chile. Sanchez believes if the team can play like they did against Mexico, they will beat Uruguay. A win against a powerful Uruguayan side will definitely solidify Chile as one of the favorites of the tournament.


This Copa America is one of the most competitive seen in quite some time. We have the pleasure to watch attacking football by teams loaded with talent. If Chile were to win the tournament it would definitely mark a new era of Chilean football and make a statement throughout South America and the World.