Chile players celebrate after winning the 2016 Copa America Centenario against Argentina.
Chile upset favourites
Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America final at
MetLife Stadium on Sunday to retain their title in the world's oldest
continental soccer competition.
Chile earned themselves bragging rights as South America's dominant
team as they beat heavyweights Argentina 4-2 on penalties for a second
straight year.
Lionel Messi after missing penalty kick against Chile.
Lionel Messi missed from the
spot in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was
sealed and Argentina's trophy drought had been extended to 23 years.
"We are an historic group and we proved that today," Chilean striker Eduardo Vargas told TV cameras after the game.
The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after
another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were
reduced to 10 men in the first half.
Chilean substitute Francisco Silva placed his penalty low and to the
right of Sergio Romero to score the decider after Messi and Lucas Biglia
missed for Argentina and Arturo Vidal missed for Chile.
The win was the second Copa America in a row for Chile, who won their
first Copa title at home last year in exactly the same fashion, beating
Argentina on penalties after the teams had drawn 0-0 after extra time.
Chile players celebrate after winning.
The excitement of the penalty
finish barely made up for a disappointing game in which both teams
failed to provide many memorable moments for the announced sellout
82,000 crowd in New Jersey.
The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes in an overly physical encounter.
The Brazilian sent off Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude
challenge on Messi, and then he levelled the sides 15 minutes later when
he showed Marcos Rojo a straight red for a harsh tackle on Vidal.
Three others were booked, including Messi for diving inside the box, in a first half that had as many cards as shots on goal.
The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who
have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America
encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side
created any clear cut chances.
The 30 minutes of extra time was more of the same, although Vargas
came close for Chile and substitute Sergio Aguero had a nice header
tipped over by Claudio Bravo.
The Centenary Copa America was played in the United States for the
first time this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
inaugural Copa America in 1916.
The tournament was expanded to 16 teams, 10 from South America and
six from the CONCACAF region of North and central America and the
Caribbean.
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