Chile finally won their first major trophy to spark jubilant scenes in Santiago as Argentina were
beaten 4-1 on penalties in the Copa
America final on Saturday.
Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega missed
from the spot in a shootout at Estadio
Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos
following a drab goalless encounter, as
Argentina endured more heartbreak
almost a year after losing the World
Cup final against Germany.
Higuain blasted high over the crossbar
and fellow substitute Banega's tame
effort was saved by Claudio Bravo, so
Alexis Sanchez had the chance to end
Chile's long wait for a Copa title and
the Arsenal forward did so in style
with a cheeky effort.
Four-time runners-up Chile celebrated
in style as Argentina were left to
reflect on what might have been once
again, as their 22-year wait for a major
trophy goes on.
Argentina have now lost two of the
last three Copa finals and Lionel Messi -
the only Argentina player to score in
the shootout - is still to lift a major
trophy at international level.
A capacity crowd generated a
tremendous atmosphere and Chile,
coached by an Argentine in Jorge
Sampaoli, appeared to be inspired as
they made an encouraging start.
Eduardo Vargas' long-range strike
flashed narrowly wide before Sergio
Romero got down to his left to keep
out Arturo Vidal's volley following a
swift Chile break.
Chile goalkeeper Bravo was then called
into action to keep out Sergio Aguero's
close-range header after the striker had
got on the end of Messi's dangerous
free-kick.
The game was being played at a frantic
pace and Vargas should have done
better when he raced onto a ball over
the top of the Argentina defence, but
blasted high over the crossbar.
The Albiceleste suffered a blow when
Angel Di María pulled up with what
appeared to be a hamstring injury just
before the half-hour mark, with
Ezequiel Lavezzi replacing the
Manchester United winger - who
missed the World Cup final due to a
thigh problem.
Lavezzi had a great chance to make an
impact when Aguero cut the ball back
into his path just before half-time, but
the Paris-Saint Germain forward shot
straight at Bravo.
Both sides were lacking quality in the
final third, but Sanchez almost
conjured up a moment of magic to win
it when he showed great technique to
volley just wide of the far post seven
minutes from time.
Argentina had one final chance to
snatch victory in normal time
when Lavezzi's cross had a little too
much on it and Higuain could only fire
into the side-netting at full stretch
beyond the back post two minutes into
time added on.
Sanchez had the only opportunity in
the first half of extra time when he
raced away following a mistake from
Javier Mascherano, but shot just over
the crossbar under pressure from the
covering Pablo Zabaleta.
Lavezzi appealed for a penalty when he
went down under a challenge
from Francisco Silva with five minutes
remaining, but referee Wilmar Roldan
saw nothing untoward and it came as
no surprise that the game would be
settled by a shootout.
It was advantage Chile when Higuain
fired Argentina's second spot-kick high
over the bar, then Banega's poor effort
was kept out by Bravo to allow
Sanchez to win it.


cc: Lalasticlala

Congrats to Chile!

mekonglobal:
Congrats to Chile!

They really deserve it

[quote author=Roughfyzay post=35496062] They really deserve it.








U can say dat again

Magnificent work chile.

And I really wanted Argentina to win it....because of Messi....but Chile also deserves it..congrats to them....

Yustash001:
And I really wanted Argentina to win it....because of Messi....but Chile also deserves it..congrats to them....

Because of messi? Our Chile Don win This one o. Make messi Try again

For the love of Sanchez as an Arsenal fan, i wanted Chile to win and they did, congrats to them.

Someone should tell me Argentina and Charlies (our extended noisy neighbour) don't have things in common, 22years without a major trophy and still counting? Come on, Messi should give up coz he'll win it as a coach.

Roughfyzay:

Because of messi? Our Chile Don win This one o. Make messi Try again

boss, Messi can not try again oooo coz the network is bad and d service is terrible, he should try and win it when he becomes a coach.

Afrok:
boss, Messi can not try again oooo coz the network is bad and d service is terrible, he should try and win it when he becomes a coach.

Abeg one Orijin for this my nigga.

Roughfyzay:
Abeg one Orijin for this my nigga.

bar man!

Afrok:
bar man!

Oya come serve him one bottle of orijin with a plate of Chilean fish soup

I luv copa America!!!!!one of d most competitive competition…no respect 4 big names

I like chile up arturo vidal, up aranguiz,up alexis,up bravo, up medel,up silva, up vargas and up those argentines that missed penalty, banega and co

Argentina has lost a second final in a year kudos to dat PIPE called Higuain. dat guy ezz so slow and useless dat e kant even tap a ball in, God! wat kan dat guy do??

Congrats Chile.Well deserved.