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Clashing for the second time in the tournament, favourites Argentina faced Chile in the 2016 Copa America Centenario final.
Chile, winners of the 2015 edition on penalties in a dour affair, were aiming to the be first team to win back to back titles since Brazil in ’04 and ’07.
Losing only one game – at the hands of Argentina – in their opening round, Chile came into the final with good form on the back of a 7-0 route against Mexico in their quarter final clash.
Appearing in their second consecutive Copa final and fourth in five tournaments, Argentina cruised through the competition, only conceding two goals in their five previous matches and topping the goal scoring charts with 18 in total.
The opening 26′ consisted of both teams getting a feel for the game and their opposition, with Gonzalo Higuaín missing the only real clear cut chance.
The game took a drastic turn in Argentina’s favour when Chile’s Marcelo Díaz was given his marching orders for a second tackle on Lionel Messi.
Argentina and their numerical advantage failed to put their stamp on the match with Chile holding strong, while creating their own share of attacking chances.
In what was quickly become an aggressive on edge encounter, Javier Mascherano and Arturo Vidal both receiving bookings for a coming together. Marcos Rojo then received a harshly awarded straight red for a tackle from behind on Vidal, ending the first half ten men apiece and even on the scoreboard.
The second half started as the first had ended, fiery, with neither side asserting their dominance on the game. A 64th minute Chilean breakaway was their best chance at the time and it signalled the opening up of the match, with both defences tiring on a steamy night.
A second half lull was broken by a string of Chilean attacks which failed to convert to a goal, before Argentinian substitute Sergio Agüero skied a chance, missing an opportunity to put his side in front.
Both teams missed chances in the 90th minute before normal time ended 0-0.
Extra time started and ended in brutal fashion with each side aiming to assert their physical dominance. Both ‘keepers kept their sides in the competition with athletic saves before it ended 0-0 for a second concessive year, taking it to penalties.
Chile’s opening miss was cancelled out moments later by Argentina’s captain and hero Messi’s miss. Chile took the lead on the fourth penalty after Bravo’s save before Silva scored the winning penalty in front of the 82,026 crowd, sending millions of Chileans into delirium as they defended the Copa while leaving Argentineans around the world heartbroken once again.
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