Chile retain Copa with shootout win over Argentina

Reuters (East Rutherford, New Jersey): 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 football 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 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.

Chile poses for a photo with the championship trophy after winning the championship match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament against Argentina at MetLife Stadium. Chile defeated Argentina 0-0 (4-2 -USA TODAY Sports 

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.

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.

Chile coach rejoices after beating ‘the best’

Reuters: Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi took great pride in steering his country to victory in Sunday’s Copa America final against a team he believes to be the best side in the world with the best player in history.

The 4-2 penalty shootout victory was the second in a row for Chile, who also triumphed over world number one Argentina and their lynchpin Lionel Messi after a 0-0 stalemate in last year’s final at home in Santiago.

“It’s always very hard to predict when a match is going to be decided by penalty kicks,” Pizzi, who took over the fifth-ranked Chileans in January, told reporters.

“Both last year and this year we ended up winning, but I think it speaks to the parity between both lineups, both teams and the mutual respect we have for each and surely it will go on that way.

“Now we’re going to enjoy ourselves.”

Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi

Pizzi said he was proud of the way his team rose to the occasion to overcome the star-studded Argentine side and Messi, who missed a penalty in the shootout and then announced he was retiring from international football.

“Before them today was the number one team in the world, with the best players in the world and the best player in history,” he said.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, whose side failed to end their 23-year title drought in major international competitions, was understandably downbeat but said his team must have the resilience to come back from disappointment.

“We really had high hopes but are leaving empty handed,” he said.

“Regarding today’s match, Argentina should have won in 90 minutes. And should have won in extra time and we were not able to win.

“Really, it is not easy to explain, because there are situations we can explain football-wise and other situations that can be explained, if you will, talking about our luck.

“Next time ... we have to come and do it. They represent the national team and feel pride in wearing the national jersey and it’s there that they find the will to really foster hope again.”