Mexico Vs. Chile, 2011 International Friendly: Hey, A Football Match!

VIDEO: Gorgeous Andres Guardado Free Kick Wins It For Mexico

Mexico Vs. Chile, 2011 International Friendly: Full Time, Andres Guardado Goal Gives El Tri A Victory

Mexico and Chile didn't exactly put on a show in the first half of their international friendly match, but once the big guns game out for the second half, things got a lot more entertaining. Though the teams were much more lively and able to create many more chances in the second 45 minutes, only one goal came, and it wasn't from open play. Still, Andres Guardado's stunning free kick goal was cool enough that it was worth watching the entire match, and that goal led Mexico to a 1-0 win.

Giovani dos Santos looked a bit out of sorts in the first half, but he was predictably aided by Javier Hernandez, Pablo Barrera and Andres Guardado entering the game. In the 20 or so minutes where all four players were on the pitch, Mexico were the better side than Chile and looked similar to the team that won the Gold Cup convincingly.

Guardado's goal, a fantastic curling free kick, came in the 77th minute to give El Tri the victory. Jean Beausejour almost equalized three minutes later, but somehow took what looked like a certain goal and put his shot off of the crossbar. The last 30 minutes of the game were fantastic, but Guardado's goal stood as the only one on the night.

Mexico Vs. Chile, 2011 International Friendly: Halftime, Snooooooooooooore

The good news is that there's a football match on today. The bad news is that it had to be this one. A matchup between Mexico and Chile sounds fantastic on paper, but neither side has been attacking with a whole lot of urgency and enthusiasm, and they're locked up in a 0-0 tie at halftime. There's been some pretty short passing and bodies getting forward, but both teams have failed to create clear-cut scoring chances and it's fairly obvious that these are not first choice teams.

Alexis Sanchez has entered the match and might spice things up a bit, but the circumstances under which he entered the game were unfortunate. Diego Rubio came out of the game to make way for Sanchez, apparently picking up an injury. Based on the play where he sustained the injury and how he looked on the sideline, it seems possible that Rubio sustained a concussion.

Giovani dos Santos, Christian Bermudez and Jesus Zavala have all been encouraging, but the same cannot be said for fellow reserves Efrain Velarde and Aldo de Nigris or new fullbacks Sergio Perez and Adrian Aldrete. Also, usual starter Israel Castro doesn't look great and could be in danger of losing his first team place.

Hopefully the first half is more entertaining than the first, but that wouldn't be incredibly difficult.

Mexico Vs. Chile, 2011 International Friendly: Lineups

Mexico and Chile are a beacon of light in a dark day of football. The international break has left us with a nothing to watch on a Sunday, which is a big enough travesty that you will not be blamed for weeping. The one match we do get is actually a fun matchup, or would be if it mattered and either team really cared. if we're lucky, the meaningless nature of the match will mean Mexico and Chile fly forward with abandon and give us a 9-7 match.

For Mexico, they have finally started Giovani dos Santos, but it's hardly a full strength squad. For various reasons, the starting lineup has no Javier Hernandez, Pablo Barrera, Andres Guardado, Gerrardo Torrado and a couple more regulars along the back line. It's not like Chile is at full strength either, with Humberto Suazo, Alexis Sanchez or Mauricio Isla is the starting lineup. So basically, everyone fun is missing.

Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Adrian Aldrete, Rafael Marquez, Edgar Duenas, Sergio Perez, Efrain Velarde, Israel Castro, Jesus Zavala, Christian Bermudez, Giovani dos Santos, Aldo de Nigris

Chile: Claudio Bravo, Gerson Acevedo, Christian Vilches, Miguel Aceval, Charles Aránguiz, Arturo Vidal, Felipe Seymour, Marco Estrada, Nicolas Córdova, Fabian Orellana, Diego Rubio

Mexico Vs. Chile, 2011 International Friendly: Will Chepo Choose Sinha Over Giovani Dos Santos Again?

Nobody is going to start throwing daggers at Jose Manuel 'Chepo' de la Torre anytime soon. Since taking over as manager of Mexico he has ushered in a new era of young, attacking talent and in the process, conquered CONCACAF. He's led Mexico well past the United States as the top team in the region, making that absolutely clear in El Tri's domination at the Gold Cup this summer. Chepo's reign has been nothing short of sensational so far, but there is one lingering question. Can he finally push Sinha aside and let Giovani dos Santos play or will he continue to go back to his aging but trusted man?

It's not hard to see why Chepo loves Sinha so much. Sinha played for Chepo at Toluca and the two clearly have a tight bond. Sinha also has plenty of experience, with 54 caps to his name, and it is not as if he is incapable of playing at the international level. There are reasons why Chepo continues to start Sinha, but they are not a convincing as the one reason to sit him: Giovani dos Santos.

After years of missteps and troubles, dos Santos appears to finally have his international career on track. His club career remains in limbo, but every time he gets a chance in the El Tri shirt, he impressed. With his pace, quickness, creativity and amazing technical ability, dos Santos is a threat every time he touches the ball.

When Sinha was suspended at the Gold Cup for a positive doping test (the suspension has since been lifted), dos Santos got his chance and shined. He was Mexico's best player in the final, terrorizing the U.S. back line and scoring one of the most brilliant goals of the tournament. With Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez up top, Pablo Barrera and Andres Guardado on the wings and dos Santos sitting in between all three, Mexico has a deadly, young crop of attackers that should keep them atop CONCACAF for a long time.

If you take dos Santos out of that though, Mexico begins to look vulnerable. They're still the best team in the region, but they don't make opposing defenses quake. There are still incredible players, but no one with dos Santos' unpredictability and ability to pop up anywhere on the pitch. Things get a lot easier for opponents without dos Santos out there.

Even so, Chepo keeps turning to his old, trusted man Sinha. He's a decent enough player still, but clearly aging and even more clearly, he's not dos Santos. At some point Chepo needs to turn the page on Sinha and the sooner he does, the better.

Mexico Vs. Chile, 2011 International Friendly: Hey, A Football Match!

Mexico take on Chile at Estadi Cornella-El Prat today. Chepo de la Torre will play random players who have no business in the team and Mexico will still avoid losing. Now you don't even have to watch!