Internet Desk: Chile piped Argentina to emerge as the champions of Copa America Centenario at the Metlife Stadium on Sunday. It was a repeat of last year’s final as Chile won 4-2 in penalty shoot-out after both teams failed to break the deadlock in 120 minutes. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi’s shot missed the target while Biglia’s shot was saved by Bravo.
It was Argentina’s third defeat in major final following losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and Chile in last year’s Copa. The defeat also meant the Latin American giants long wait to win a major title continued. The Argetines last won the Copa America title in 1993.
The final never reached the standards it was expected as both teams were involved in some rough tackles.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half as Brazilian referee Heber Lopes struggled to get a grip on an ill-tempered contest played in front of a crowd of 82,026.
The first yellow card of the match came in the 16th minute when Marcelo Diaz brought down Messi with as the Barcelona star advanced on the Chilean goal.
Argentina should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when a defensive blunder from Chile defender Gary Medel found Gonzalo Higuain to go clean through on goal.
Higuain had time and space but opted to lift his shot over the advancing Bravo and it rolled wide of the post in a huge let-off for Chile.
It was a nightmarish case of deja vu for Higuain, who missed potentially match winning chances in both the 2014 World Cup final and last year’s Copa America.
Seven minutes later Chile were left reduced to 10 men in the 29th minute as Messi was fouled again by Diaz to pick his second yellow and was sent the marching order.
14 minutes later, Brazilian referee Heber Lopes’ evened out the lopsided rosters by tagging Argentina’s Marcelo Rojo with a red of his own after a dangerous tackle.
It ought to have been a warning to both sides but the spiteful tone continued for the remainder of the half, with Javier Mascherano and Arturo Vidal next into the book in the 37th minute.
After 120 minutes of lackluster display the teams went into the penalty shoot out.
Argentina’s Sergio Romero saved the first one from the spot, getting his side started off on the right foot. But Messi failed to take advantage of the save by Romero as he skied his shot over the bar, tearing the fairy-tale ending apart and leaving the result up to his teammates’ ability to carry him. They couldn’t.
Following Claudio Bravo’s brilliant save of Lucas Biglia’s try, Chile’s Francisco Silva stepped up to the mark and put the nail in the coffin, giving Chile its second straight Copa America, while handing Argentina yet another second-place trophy at a major tournament.
Chile captain Claudio Bravo was awarded the Golden Glove award. Alexis Sanchez was adjudged the best footballer of the tournament and won the Golden Ball award, while Vargas took away the Golden Boot award with 6 goals.