Chile win Copa America on penalties

Chile finally won their first major
trophy to spark jubilant scenes in
Santiago as Argentina were
beaten 4-1 on penalties in the
Copa America final on Saturday.

Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega
missed from the spot in a
shootout at Estadio Nacional
Julio Martinez Pradanos following a drab goalless
encounter, as Argentina endured more heartbreak almost a
year after losing the World Cup final against Germany.
Higuain blasted high over the crossbar and fellow
substitute Banega's tame effort was saved by Claudio Bravo,
so Alexis Sanchez had the chance to end Chile's long wait for
a Copa title and the Arsenal forward did so in style with a
cheeky effort.
Four-time runners-up Chile celebrated in style as Argentina
were left to reflect on what might have been once again, as
their 22-year wait for a major trophy goes on.
Argentina have now lost two of the last three Copa finals and
Lionel Messi - the only Argentina player to score in the
shootout - is still to lift a major trophy at international level.
A capacity crowd generated a tremendous atmosphere and
Chile, coached by an Argentine in Jorge Sampaoli, appeared
to be inspired as they made an encouraging start.
Eduardo Vargas' long-range strike flashed narrowly wide
before Sergio Romero got down to his left to keep out Arturo
Vidal's volley following a swift Chile break.
Chile goalkeeper Bravo was then called into action to keep
out Sergio Aguero's close-range header after the striker had
got on the end of Messi's dangerous free-kick.
The game was being played at a frantic pace and Vargas
should have done better when he raced onto a ball over the
top of the Argentina defence, but blasted high over the
crossbar.
The Albiceleste suffered a blow when Angel Di María pulled
up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury just before
the half-hour mark, with Ezequiel Lavezzi replacing the
Manchester United winger - who missed the World Cup final
due to a thigh problem.
Lavezzi had a great chance to make an impact when Aguero
cut the ball back into his path just before half-time, but the
Paris-Saint Germain forward shot straight at Bravo.
Both sides were lacking quality in the final third, but Sanchez
almost conjured up a moment of magic to win it when he
showed great technique to volley just wide of the far
post seven minutes from time.
Argentina had one final chance to snatch victory in normal
time when Lavezzi's cross had a little too much on it
and Higuain could only fire into the side-netting at full
stretch beyond the back post two minutes into time added
on.
Sanchez had the only opportunity in the first half of extra
time when he raced away following a mistake from Javier
Mascherano, but shot just over the crossbar under pressure
from the covering Pablo Zabaleta.
Lavezzi appealed for a penalty when he went down under a
challenge from Francisco Silva with five minutes remaining,
but referee Wilmar Roldan saw nothing untoward and it
came as no surprise that the game would be settled by a
shootout.
It was advantage Chile when Higuain fired Argentina's
second spot-kick high over the bar, then Banega's poor
effort was kept out by Bravo to allow Sanchez to win it.