Chile defends COPA AMERICA title against Argentina

Anyone associated with Argentinean football could be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu today after their side were defeated on penalties by Chile in the Cope America final; an exact replica of the 2015 result.

It means that La Albiceleste have now gone more than two decades without lifting a major trophy; and the fallout has already begun, with reports alleging that Lionel Messi has said he will quit international football in the wake of his country’s latest disappointment.

 

 

The final itself was a tight and often brutal encounter, with two red cards brandished to Chile’s Marcelo Diaz and Argentina’s Marcos Rojo in the first half. All in all, some 35 fouls were conceded in a typically rugged South American match.

The real sadness for Argentinean supporters is that their team were perhaps the better side, and created more than enough chances to lift the trophy. Gonzalo Higuain should have scored as early as the 21st minute when he stole the ball from a dithering Gary Medel, but the Napoli forward could only shoot wide with the goal at his mercy. Sergio Aguero also wasted a glorious chance following enterprising play from Messi.

 

 

They would rue their profligacy in front of goal, as the teams could not be separated at 0-0 and the match headed first into extra time and latterly a penalty shootout. Incredibly, it was Messi who set the tone for his team’s downfall when blazing his spot-kick over the bar, and after Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo had saved Lucas Biglia’s strike it was left to Francisco Silva to slot home and secure back-to-back Copa America wins for the first time in his country’s history.

Chile also became only the fourth team to retain the trophy in the competition’s 100 year history, following Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.

Copa America Centenario Awards

As is customary at any major tournament Best Player, Golden Boot and Golden Glove trophies were handed out and a top XI was devised by the ‘Technical Study Group’ to celebrate the competition’s centenary year.  

 

 

Chile and Arsenal’s lexis Sanchez was the recipient of the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player; the winger had contributed three goals, one assist and a series of high quality performances to help aid in his country’s pursuit of glory.

The winner of the @Mastercard #GoldenBall is @Alexis_Sanchez from @LaRoja #Copa100 pic.twitter.com/dhnrjW6KHg

— Copa América 2016 (@CA2016) June 27, 2016

 

Sanchez’s fellow countryman Eduardo Vargas scooped the Golden Boot trophy following an impressive return of six goals in as many games. The pick of his performances were those four goals in the 7-0 demolition of dark horses Mexico in the quarter finals. 

To complete the Chilean clean-sweep, their keeper Claudio Bravo was handed the Golden Glove award for a series of assured displays between the sticks. He kept three consecutive clean sheets in the knockout phase, as well as the crucial save to deny Biglia in the final shootout. It was the second time that Bravo had been nominated as the outstanding keeper of Copa America.

The final Best XI lined up as follows:

Claudio Bravo (Chile); Mauricio Isla (Chile), Jean Beausejour (Chile), Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina), Gary Medel (Chile); Arturo Vidal (Chile), Charles Aranguiz (Chile), Javier Mascherano (Argentina); Lionel Messi (Argentina), Alexis Sanchez (Chile), Eduardo Vargas (Chile).