Mexico striker blames tactics for loss

Mexico’s tactics were to blame for their 2-1 loss to Chile in the Copa America, according to striker Giovani dos Santos.

The under-strength Mexican side had gone ahead against the run of play thanks to Nestor Araujo’s first-half strike, but goals from Esteban Parades and Arturo Vidal after the break ensured Claudio Borghi’s team began the tournament with a win.

Dos Santos scored a brilliant goal in Mexico’s CONCACAF Gold Cup final win over the USA last month, but he was a peripheral figure on Monday as his side was deservedly beaten.

“I think the way we planned out our game tactically (was to blame). We had to play the ball along the ground more with more people up front,” dos Santos said.

“I think that’s the reason why (we lost). We knew Chile would be tough.”

Mexico are now bottom of the group and will need to vastly improve ahead of their next match, against Peru on Friday.

“It’ll be a different match, and we hope to do better in order to obtain the victory,” he said.

Chile forward Alexis Sanchez said his side were always confident they could recover from the deficit, and would take plenty of confidence into their next match against Uruguay.

“We talked about staying calm, that the goal would eventually come. It did, and then we had a chance to make it 2-1,” Sanchez said.

“(We will play) the same way we played against Mexico. All of our rivals are difficult (to play against).”