Uruguay earned a draw in a tense 1-1 Copa America match on Monday when Arturo Vidal of Chile scored an own goal midway through the second half, giving them their first goal in five games.
Chile and Uruguay have won three of the last four Copa America championships between them, but neither team has been able to ignite this one. Uruguay did not have a shot on target in their 1-0 loss to Argentina, while Chile drew with Argentina before losing 1-0 to Bolivia.
On a hot and muggy night in central Brazil, both teams happily exhibited a little more zeal.
Chile had the better start and courtesy to Eduardo Vargas who took the lead after 26 minutes. Vargas played a great one-two with Ben Brereton before slamming an unstoppable blast past Fernando Muslera in the goal.
Vargas now has 14 goals in the competition, putting him in a tie for fifth place with 17 goals behind the leaders.
Uruguay had gone four games without scoring before tonight, but they improved as the game progressed and earned a deserved equaliser midway through the second half.
Matias Vecino headed a corner into the six-yard box, and the ball was pushed into the roof of the net as Luis Suarez battled with Vidal.
Suarez was first given credit for the score, but it was later ruled an own goal, and Vidal was replaced shortly after protesting that he had been fouled by his former Barcelona teammate.
There had been considerable controversy leading up to the game, with Chile acknowledging that some of their players — Vidal was eventually named as one of them – had broken the COVID-19 prevention bubble.
As the game progressed, Uruguay gained a greater advantage and pressed forward in pursuit of a winner, with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani both coming close.
However, neither team was able to score a crucial goal, and Chile are now at the 2nd spot in Group A behind Argentina.
