Mexico, Chile play to stalemate in first friendly since World Cup

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Gullermo Ochoa made two brilliant saves to help Mexico preserve a 0-0 draw with Chile in a friendly on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 67,175 at Levi's Stadium.

The contest matched two teams who were eliminated in the Round of 16 during World Cup play. Mexico lost to the Netherlands, 2-1, and Chile lost to host Brazil on penalties after playing to a scoreless draw.

El Roja coach Jorge Sampaoli kept his World Cup roster intact for the match while Mexico coach Miguel Herrera gave Miguel Angel Herrera and Oswaldo Alanis their first starts in an attempt to remold his squad. He kept 10 members from the Mexican World Cup roster.

Mexico, who had the overwhelming support of the crowd, had two clear shots at the goal within 2 minutes midway through the second half. In the 65th minute, Giovani Dos Santos found himself alone with goalkeeper Claudio Bravo but rushed his shot and missed over the crossbar.

Oribe Perlata worked the ball into the penalty box to the right of the net and sent a pass across the net to Javier Antonio Orozco, who just missed high in the 67th minute.

Miguel Layun took a looping shot toward the goal that Bravo easily handled in the 77th minute. Bravo also stopped a point blank shot from Orozco in the 80th minute.

El Tri outshot Chile 6-5 in the first half, although Ochoa faced the lone shot on goal, turning back Arturo Vidal's shot.

Mexico's Paul Aguilar received a yellow card late in the first half. Chile's Eugenio Mena also saw yellow in the final minute of the half.

Mexico forward Marco Fabian earned a yellow card in the 90th minute, though Vidal sent the ensuing kick over the top of the net.

"The intensity of both teams surprised me," said Sampaoli. "We controlled the tempo and Mexico waited for the counter."