Chile upset favorites Argentina
with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America Final at MetLife stadium to
retain 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 missed from the spot
in the shootout, cutting a dejected figure after the result was sealed and
Argentina trophy drought had been extended to 23 years. 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 Ramos to score the decider
after Messi and Lucas Biglia missed for Argentina and Artura 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 team had drawn 0-0 after extra time.
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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