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02nd Jun 2016

Javier Hernandez’s stunning winner against Chile was a very familiar sight

Predictable brilliance

Ben Kiely

Javier Hernandez’s forehead must be part-instep.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward celebrated his 28th birthday with an 11th hour winner against Chile in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Chicharito powered home one of his trademark, bullet-headers in the 86th-minute to secure a 1-0 win for Mexico in their final tune-up before the Copa America kicks off.

The “Little Pea” was set up by a sensational looping cross by FC Porto’s Miguel Layun from the right touchline and the striker connected with the ball perfectly to send it into the top left-hand corner giving goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli absolutely no chance.

To make it more impressive, Chicharito scored the decisive goal just eight minutes after coming off the bench to replace Raul Jimenez, as manager Juan Carlos Osorio started the match with an experimental lineup.

The goal brought Chicharito’s international tally up to 44, leaving him just two shy of Jared Borgetti’s national record.