Mexico entered the Copa America fray on Friday night, but the goalless draw with Bolivia at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar offered little entertainment in Group A.
El Tri dominated possession in the first period but were unable to find a way past a resilient defence, marshalled well by Leonel Morales.
Instead, it was Bolivia who threatened to open the scoring in the 14th minute, when Ricardo Pedriel struck the woodwork with a near-post header, which had left Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona floundering.
And three minutes before the break, Corona produced a flying save to his left to thwart Jhasmani Campos, whose shot was heading for the top corner.