Chile remain champions of America after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Argentina in New Jersey.
The match will hardly go down as a classic in terms of football itself, but the bitterness between the two rivals was absolutely thrilling throughout the game – culminating in an intense shootout after the scores were locked 0-0 after extra time.
Penalties seem a cruel way to decide any match, but will seem especially cruel for Argentina after a second major tournament loss on penalties in a row.
Arturo Vidal gave Argentina the best of starts in the shootout, firing his penalty far too close to goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Enter Lionel Messi. The Argentinian captain had failed to live up to his normal brilliance throughout the match, and stunned the crowd as he stroked his penalty well over the crossbar.
The two teams traded blows for the next five penalties before Lucas Biglia’s effort was well saved by a diving Claudio Bravo.
With the score at 3-2, extra-time substitute Francisco Silva stepped and slotted home a low shot into the left-hand corner to claim victory for Chile.
The final will be remembered most for the chaotic first half scenes that saw both teams down to ten men as Brazilian referee Heber Lopes failed to control the fiery affair.
Gonzalo Higuaín had the best chance of the first half (and game) after a mistake from Gary Medel put him through one on one with Bravo. The Napoli forward should have scored, but saw his chip bounce just wide of the post.
The first sending off came just minutes later, after Chile’s Marcelo Diaz received a second yellow for checking Messi’s run.
Messi also found himself in the referee’s book – cautioned for diving in the box despite clear contact. While never a penalty, a yellow seemed overly harsh.
The referee continued his bizarre decisions just before half time – issuing a straight red to defender Marcus Rojo. The Argentinian clearly came through the back of Arturo Vidal, but replays showed the faintest of touches, warranting a yellow card at worst.
The second half saw few chances as both teams struggled with ten men and the sapping heat. Argentina looked the more threatening of the two teams in attack, but failed to create anything clear cut.
With extra time beckoning, Chile had a wonderful chance to snatch victory in the dying minutes. A steaming run into the box from left-back Jean Beausejour saw his squared ball fall to the feet of Alexis Sanchez, but the Arsenal star failed to make enough contact before being closed down.
Extra time saw the moment of the match, and quite possibly the save of the tournament.
Sergio Aguero rose to meet Lionel Messi’s free-kick, sending a fantastic looping header into the top-left corner only to be denied by a world class save from Claudio Bravo. The Chilean and Barcelona keeper showed his quality, tipping the ball over the crossbar at the last second and denying Argentina a certain goal and possible winner.
For Chile, a second straight Copa America title will prove sweet rewards for a determined and entertaining display throughout the tournament.
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men displayed the organisation, guile and tenacity of champions, combining a high tempo passing game with equally astute pressing and some wonderful technical skills.
It will be heartbreak yet again for an Argentinian team seemingly burdened by the tag of perennial chokers.
It’s hard to believe that a team so stacked with talent, and led by a player who may well be the greatest to ever play the game, can have failed in three consecutive finals.
Much will no doubt be made of Messi in particular given his below-par display, especially in the light of such a dramatic penalty miss. But there’s no faulting the desire of the man, and the obvious pain on show in his failure.
The question is, how can a team of winners – and they are winners, with so many Champions League medals and domestic trophies between them – pick themselves up in two years’ time after yet another debilitating loss?
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