Chile beat Argentina in the Copa America final

Sport

 

Chile secured the first major trophy in their history on home soil courtesy of a penalty shootout win over Argentina in the Copa America final.

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez slotted in the winning spot-kick after Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain fired over and Ever Banega was denied by Claudio Bravo.

Higuain had earlier missed from close range after 90 minutes of few chances.

Sanchez came closest in extra time for Chile, who scored all four of their penalties in the shootout.

 Where Chile held their nerve, Argentina wilted in the shootout at the end of a performance that fell well short of the heights they reached in their 6-1 semi-final win over Paraguay.

Le Albiceleste are without a major trophy in the last 22 years since winning the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador.

“It was a game in which the destroyers kicked, grappled and smothered the playmakers. Messi wasn’t given a yard of space as Chile stifled Argentina’s attack. In that regard Jorge Sampaoli’s game-plan worked perfectly. Apparently he’d studied hours of tapes of Barcelona in action to discover the key to stopping Messi.

“But throughout the tournament the Chileans have shown a strong will-to-win, which at times could even be described as dirty. Jara’s finger the perfect case in point. They out-fought Uruguay and stamped out Argentina’s goal menace.”

Chile’s victory brought an end to almost a century of competing in the Copa America without claiming a title.

Chile won their first Copa America after 173 games played in this competition, dating back to the first tournament in 1916.

BBC sport

Maher Taki

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