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Chile’s Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring the winning penalty kick in their Copa America 2015 final soccer match against Argentina at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, 4 July, 2015 - REUTERS
Reuters: Chile won the Copa America for the first time on Saturday when a cheeky penalty from Alexis Sanchez clinched a shootout victory over Argentina and glory for the host nation’s golden generation in front of their own fans.
The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and when another half an hour of extra time failed to produce a goal, the contest was destined to be decided by penalties.
Lionel Messi stepped up to score Argentina’s first spot kick but, as the first three Chileans converted unerringly, Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega missed.
That left the stage set for forward Sanchez, who made up for a quiet game by dinking the ball into Sergio Romero’s net to send the capacity crowd at Santiago’s National Stadium into raptures.
“Our whole idea was to win something, we knew that this was the moment,” goalkeeper Claudio Bravo told reporters.
“This is a privileged generation and now it is time to enjoy it. We are not used to winning anything so this is an exception.” Chile had beaten Argentina just once in 38 competitive matches before the final and were outsiders to take the trophy for the first time in the 99-year history of the tournament.
Few sides were able to handle their fast-paced football, however, and they won four of their five games on their way to the deciding match, scoring 13 goals and delighting their home fans.
“This is something so nice for all the Chilean people,” midfielder Arturo Vidal told reporters after the whistle.
“We Chileans needed a triumph, something like this Cup, today we took an incredible step, we’re America’s best.”
The final itself was a poor game with neither side able to create many chances.
With Messi uninspired and Sanchez faltering, the teams attempted just 19 shots between them – less than all but one of the Copa America finals contested since 1993.
Higuain came closest to breaking the stalemate for Argentina in the last minute of regulation time.
Messi sent Ezequiel Lavezzi through on the leftand he crossed to Higuain at the far post but the striker could only put the ball in the side netting.
Sanchez had one great chance to steal the game for Chile in extra time but blazed over with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Argentina’s Javier Mascherano (L) kicks the ball next to Chile’s Marcelo Diaz during their Copa America 2015 final soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, 4 July, 2015 - REUTERS
Reuters: Losing a second major final in a year was absolute torture for Argentina, midfield general Javier Mascherano said after Chile beat them on penalties to win the Copa America on Saturday.
Argentina were beaten by Germany in the World Cup final last July and Saturday’s 4-1 loss on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time left them still looking for a first major trophy since the 1993 Copa America.
“Losing is torture, it’s a huge sadness,” said Mascherano, one of the few Argentina players to talk to reporters after the final at Santiago’s National Stadium.
“Everyone knows what I feel when I put this shirt on.”
The Barcelona midfielder, one of Argentina’s best players in the final, highlighted the team’s performance throughout the tournament.
“We had a good Copa America, we played a final as visitors and were up to it. Again we lacked that quota of luck to win, I really can’t find an explanation,” the 31-year-old said.
“I’m one of the oldest players in this squad. We have to accept what happened, unfortunately we couldn’t give the fans what we wanted to.”
Mascherano said Chile had pressured Argentina well and when they had the ball to play to the strikers, they were well marked.
“Chile are a very good team but I think we neutralised them, we played the match we wanted to ... We had moves to win it and unfortunately it wasn’t to be,” he said.
“The pain is immense and gets worse.”
Mascherano was also on the losing side to Brazil in two Copa America finals in 2004 and 2007.
Argentina's coach Gerardo Martino react as as Chile's Mauricio Isla lies on the pitch and Chile's Francisco Silva looks on during their Copa America 2015 final soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, 4 July, 2015 - REUTERS
Reuters: Argentina did not deserve to lose the Copa America final to Chile on Saturday after a match in which both teams ‘neutralised’ each other, coach Gerardo Martino said.
Chile won their first ever major trophy, beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina on penalties after the two teams drew 0-0 after extra time.
“In the 120 minutes, in a very high quality game where the two teams neutralised each other more than play, the one who I think should have won was Argentina,” said Martino at a press conference after the game.
Martino praised Chile, saying they were ‘world class’ and had played well since the start of the tournament, but felt Argentina should have won the final.
The experience for Argentina had been ‘very positive’, said Martino, adding that he saw no need for major changes.
“In a short time we have acquired a way of playing and we’ve been pretty good, but there is room for improvement,” he said.
