In the end, the script played out much like it did in the last edition of the Copa America finals; the star studded Argentine team against a gritty and determined Chilean side.
With Lionel Messi in unplayable form this year, the general feeling was that if there was any year the Albaceleste could win the title, this was it.
The match itself was as tight as predicted, drawing many fouls and leaving both sides with very few clear cut chances, Chile stayed tight at the back while Messi was hard pressed to create chances. Marcelo Diaz and Marcos Rojo were given their matching orders during a violent 90 minutes, leaving both sides with ten men. After 120 minutes of barrenness, the match went into penalties.
Chile’s Arturo Vidal lost the first penalty and handed the advantage to the Argentines the advantage but they squandered it very quickly with five time Ballon D’or winner blasting his penalty over the bar. Lucas Biglia’s penalty was then saved by Claudio Bravo.
The Argentines might feel hard done but congratulations to Chile!!
