Headers reign supreme: Chile, Mexico settle for draw in captivating thriller

An enthralling fixture in which neither side was capable of holding on to its lead for more than a quarter-hour saw Mexico and Chile play out a 3-3 draw that featured a bizarre number of headed goals.

After Mexico opened the scoring, Chile responded one minute later.

When El Tri restored its one-goal advantage, La Roja found another answer within 13 minutes.

Once Jorge Sampaoli's side finally took the lead in the second half, Miguel Herrera's squad replied after 11 minutes.

The back-and-forth was thoroughly enjoyable to watch for the neutral supporter and understandably heart-attack-inducing for those emotionally attached to either national team.

Here's what you need to know from the six-goal match at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos:

The Goals

21st minute - Vicente Matias Vuoso, Mexico: At long last, Mexico was able to take advantage of a moment of genius from Jesus "Tecacito" Corona at the Copa America. After Chile surrendered possession in the centre circle, Juan Carlos Medina launched a counterattack and played a wonderful give-and-go with Corona, whose pass split La Roja's backline like a knife slicing through a quesadilla. The ball eventually reached the feet of Vicente Matias Vuoso via a deflection off Miiko Albornoz's right hand, and the No. 19 slotted the ball past Claudio Bravo.

22nd minute - Arturo Vidal, Chile: Count on Arturo "The Warrior" Vidal to rescue Chile when his nation needs him most. Refusing to let Mexico enjoy a lead at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos, Vidal immediately responded to Vuoso's opener by heading home a corner kick as he launched himself towards the planet from which he hails. Of course, no goal from Vidal would be complete without a heart-themed celebration.

29th minute - Raul Jimenez, Mexico: It turns out that anything Vidal can do, Raul Jimenez can do better. Not to be outdone by the mohawk-clad Chilean, Jimenez cancelled out Vidal's header with one of his own, heading home a shot with incredible precision that a diving Bravo could only brush with one hand. It was nice to see Jimenez get his name on the scoreboard given the struggles he's faced over the past year.

42nd minute, Eduardo Vargas, Chile: The back-and-forth bombardment of headers continued until the end of the first half. In another reminder of much better he is at the international level than the club level, Eduardo Vargas notched his second goal of the Copa America with a vehement header just before the interval. One can only wonder how Mexico's five-man backline was unable to find one defender to man-mark Vargas.

55th minute, Arturo Vidal, Chile: Another day, another converted penalty from the tattooed midfielder. After Vidal did just enough to get his right foot on the ball and draw a reckless challenge from Gerardo Flores, referee Victor Hugo Carrillo immediately pointed the penalty spot, setting the stage for the No. 8 to slot home his second goal of the match and celebrate with a pitch invader.

66th minute, Vicente Matias Vuoso, Mexico: Just when Sampaoli's side were finally enjoying their first lead of the game, lapses in judgment from both Chile's backline and 'keeper allowed Mexico to produce an equaliser. Chile's defenders were caught far too high up the pitch, and after Adrian Aldrete delivered a phenomenal aerial ball, Vuoso only needed one touch to poke the ball past Bravo, who appeared indecisive in whether or not to come off his line.

Man of the Match - Arturo Vidal

Two goals, one assist, one drawn penalty, and a presence that was simply too much for Mexico to handle from kickoff until the final whistle.

Arturo Vidal, ladies and gentleman.

In a reassertion of his place among the beautiful game's elite, Vidal played in each of Chile's goal and lived up to his nickname of "The Warrior." His control of La Roja's midfield was sensational and he was at the heart of each and every attack that Sampaoli's side launched throughout the match.

Simply put, Vidal is putting Chile on his back at the Copa America.

The 1,000 Words

"Get back here, kid."

Stray Thoughts

• Arturo Vidal is more important to Chile's Copa America aspirations than Alexis Sanchez.
• Jorge Valdivia put in a tremendous performance and should have put the match away in the 64th minute, when the linesman incorrectly raised his flag after Chile appeared to have scored a fourth goal.
• It's been a long time since Claudio Bravo looked that shaky between the posts.
• Vicente Matias Vuoso is responding to the haters in resounding fashion. After much was made over the 33-year-old's inclusion in Mexico's squad, he's answered by emerging as El Tri's top goalscorer at the competition.
• The future of Mexican football is bright if it involves Javier Guemez and Jesus "Tecatito" Corona. The former performed admirably in a holding role while the latter's dribbling skills and vision were absolutely mesmerising.
• Wing-backs Gerardo Flores and Adrian Aldrete showed composure going forward in Mexico's 5-3-2 formation but struggled to contain the likes of Vidal and Eduardo Vargas when they were needed to perform defensive duties.
• A shout-out to the pitch invader who joined Vidal in celebrating his second goal.