Chile edge past Mexico as Nico Castillo strikes late

Nico Castillo’s 89th minute strike was enough to earn Chile a 1-0 win over Mexico at the Estadio Corregidora on Tuesday.

Both teams made a strong start to the game, but it was the hosts who came closest to taking the lead early when Brayan Cortez did well to keep out a Marco Fabian shot.

Chile’s best chance of the first half didn’t come until the 39th minute. A quick exchange of passes from Alexis Sanchez led to Junior Fernandes forcing Hugo Gonzalez to a great save.

Mexico went back at it to the start the second half, and a Jesus Manuel “Tecatito” Corona cross ended a Raul Jimenez header just wide of Cortez’s goal.

Chile then took control of the proceedings, and once again knocked on Mexico’s door when Gonzalez did well to parry out a dangerous Angelo Sagal header.

Moments later, Jurgen Damm found himself with a clear opportunity to score from a brilliant Erick Gutierrez long ball, but the Tigres winger did a little too much, sending his shot into the side netting.

The breakthrough came when Hugo Gonzalez failed to control a Nico Castillo shot. The rebound fell to the same Castillo, who then put the ball into the back of the net to give Chile the win.