Still suffering from its post-Copa America decline, Chile squandered key points to Bolivia on Tuesday night in a scoreless draw at the Estadio Nacional. It was the first time the Chileans had ever been held without a goal at home against La Verde - but not even the first they'd underestimated their Bolivian rivals in 2016.
Coming off a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Paraguay, Chile was seeking an easy three points against Bolivia, just as they had three months prior following a 2-1 loss to Argentina in the team's opening match of Copa America Centenario. Back in June, Bolivia came up just short, losing on a stoppage-time penalty, but on this occasion, the men in green held on to snag a point from Chile's grasp.
The Chileans dominated the majority of the match, nabbing their fair share of chances and recording 75-percent possession. However, early chances were squandered, Bolivia's goalkeeper and captain Carlos Lampe made four clutch saves, and as the game progressed, the visitors were able to park the bus and prevent La Roja from breaking the deadlock.
Early domination from Chile
Chile got off to a red-hot start in the match, producing a goalscoring chance within a half-minute as Jose Pedro Fuenzalida fired a shot straight at Lampe following an incisive run into the penalty area by from Eduardo Vargas on the break.
Fuenzalida found Vargas unmarked in the penalty area on a quick corner, but Lampe turned away the headed effort. Vargas got his head onto the end of another cross just moments later, but the feeling of deja vu was mutual as Lampe dove to his right to parry away the effort.
Stingy defense by Bolivia began to frustrate the Chileans, who were in clear control of the ball. Alexis Sanchez, who wore the captain's armband for Chile due to the absences of Claudio Bravo and Gary Medel, cut across the eighteen in the 41st minute and had his right-footed strike saved.
One minute later, Chile's Enzo Roco found the back on a back-post run, only to have the score negated by a foul called on Arturo Vidal, who had collided with Lampe as the free kick flew in. Lampe stayed down for a few minutes with apparent signs of injury but stayed in the game as it stayed scoreless entering halftime.
Bolivia hangs on for the draw
Many more Bolivians began to spend time with their backs on the pitch as La Verde began utilizing time-wasting maneuvers. An irked Chilean side increased its attacking numbers to further efforts to get a shot past Lampe, creating room for opposing counterattacks, one of which caused a brief scare for Chile.
In the 65th minute, a Bolivia free kick found its way to the feet of Juan Carlos Arce at the six-yard box, but thankfully for the home side, Cristopher Toselli was able to block the attempt and Chile's defense cleared the danger.
Vidal had an attempt from the right wing come dangerously close as the game approached its final 10 minutes, leaving Lampe scrambling with a high-arcing ball that the Bolivian netminder was just able to tap over the crossbar.
Soon enough, the final whistle blew, Lampe raising his arms and the Chileans lowering their heads.