Led by Nery Castillo, Mexico stunned defending champions Brazil 2-0 in Group B play at Copa America Wednesday.
Shortly after Brazil just missed scoring on a bicycle kick, Castillo, in the 24th minute, carefully flicked the ball over a defender's head and then past Brazilian keeper Doni to give Mexico a lead they would not relinquish.
Just five minutes later, with Brazil still reeling, Ramon Morales nailed a free kick from 30-meters out past Doni, who was not able to make a play on the ball.
With a two-goal advantage, Mexico was content to play conservatively in an attempt to preserve their lead.
Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa was instrumental in the victory, making a series of spectacular saves during a second-half dominated by Brazil. Ochoa had help, however, as his defense cleared a ball off of the goal line in the 74th minute and the Brazilian Robinho hit the post in the 71st minute.
Brazil looked as if they would take an early lead when Diego scored in the sixth minute only to have it disallowed because of an off-sides call.
Chile 3, Ecuador 2
Rallying from a one-goal deficit not once, but twice, Chile inched past Ecuador 3-2 in Group B play at Copa America.
Ecuador took an early lead in the 16th minute on an Antonio Valencia tally, but Humberto Suazo netted the equalizer in the 21st minute for Chile. Just two minutes later, with Chilean fans still celebrating the Suazo goal, Cristian Benítez gave Ecuador the lead once more. Ecuador almost put the game out of reach in the first half, but Valencia had his shot deflect off the post.
Suazo had a tremendous opportunity to knot the score in the 63rd minute but struck his shot over the goal. He was able to gain redemption, however, in the 79th minute as he chested the ball down in the box and fired the shot past the Ecuadorian keeper.
Carlos Villanueva put home the game winner for the Chileans in the 87th minute on a perfect free kick.
David Moses is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
