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Mexico bounced back from a disappointing 0-0 draw with Bolivia in its opening game with a thrilling three-goal performance against Chile. El Tri twice took the lead and then found an equalizer just as it appeared the home team would prevail.
A 3-3 draw with one of the tournament favorites is not a bad result. Also, that opening round tie with Bolivia looks a lot better after El Verde put three goals past Ecuador. Maybe this Mexico B team isn't so bad after all?
Fairly or unfairly, the judgement of this El Tri squad will be based largely on the outcome of its final group stage game against Ecuador. A loss will suggest it is a group that was never quite up to the Copa America challenge. Another tie and coach Miguel Herrera will justifiably claim his side was always competitive - and El Tri might just sneak into the next round as one of the top third-placed teams in the group stage. A win would recast Mexico as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament: unbeaten and having matched Chile goal-for-goal in a game that turned into a shoot-out.
Ecuador has its own point to prove. The squad contains some exciting players. Jefferson Montero, Fidel Martinez and Enner Valencia are a talented trio of 25-year-olds, each of whom might yet kick their game up a level to really catch the eye of world soccer fans. A three-losses-and-out performance from this generation of Ecuadorian players simply will not do. They are not expected to win this tournament, but they ought to be challenging for a place in the knockout rounds.
As it stands, Ecuador can only progress with a win and some help from results in the other groups.
Both teams have much to gain from this match, which should hopefully mean it proves entertaining.