Messi's strike not enough as Chile frustrate Argentina
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi scored a spectacular freekick but Chile hit back again to earn a 1-1 attract the Copa America on Monday.
Messi's magical left foot gave dominant Argentina a deserved first half lead but Eduardo Vargas equalized in the next half after Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal's penalty.
Prior to the Group B game were only available in the Nelson Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, there is a tribute to Argentina legend Diego Maradona, although the bottom was empty because of coronavirus restrictions.
The first chance fell to Messi on eight minutes as Leandro Paredes chosen Nicolas Tagliafico on the left and the fullback nodded the ball down for his captain, who sent a volley wide.
Minutes later, Giovani Lo Celso crossed from the left but a sliding Lautaro Martinez could only spoon the ball over the bar from inside six-yard box.
Argentina were altogether command and Lo Celso picked out Nicolas Gonzalez to shoot from 20 yards but goalkeeper Claudio Bravo got down well to his right to tip the ball around the post.
From Messi's corner Gonzalez headed over the bar and occasions later he was released by Lo Celos but shot straight at Bravo.
It could be a frustrating night for Gonzalez.
Argentina got the goal their domination deserved on 33 minutes, and inevitably it was Messi who scored, curling a free-kick from 25 yards out just beyond Bravo's dive.
They should have had a second soon afterwards but teed up by Gonzalo Montiel 10 yards out, Martinez screwed his shot horribly wide.
Chile started the next half with an increase of intent and Erick Pulgar played Vargas in to the area but his shot on the stretch was saved by Martinez.
However, Vidal stormed directly into make an effort to fire home the rebound and was caught by Tagliafico as he shot.
Referee Wilmar Roldan consulted VAR and awarded a penalty.
Martinez tipped Vidal's effort onto the crossbar but Vargas was quickest to the ball to head home the equalizer.
Argentina were soon back on the attack but Chile center-back Gary Medel blocked a volley from Gonzalez, who later headed over from a Messi free-kick.
Twenty minutes from time, Messi created space in the box but Bravo was down well to save his low shot.
Gonzalez's night to forget would worsen ten minutes from time when he ran onto an ideal chipped pass from Messi but headed over from just seven yards out when it looked better to score.
It had been his last involvement as he was substituted before Bravo took the goalkick.
Argentina kept pushing but Messi headed over the bar in injury time as Chile held on for a spot.
Source: www.thedailystar.net
