Chile defeated Lionel Messi-led Argentina 4-2 in penalty shootouts in the final of the Copa Ameria Centenario 2016 to defend their title. None of the teams were able to trouble the scoreboard in 90 minutes and extra time followed, but the scores remained the same and like last year, penalty shootout decided the outcome of the final between these two teams.
Unlucky for Messi and Argentina as they were once again on the receiving end of a heart-breaking loss, their third major tournament final defeat in the last three years. An ill-tempered game, which saw both the teams picking up a red card each, was not short on drama and in the end, team with the better goalkeeper prevailed.
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Here’s looking at how each player fared in the match.
Argentina
Sergio Romero – 7/10
The Manchester United goalkeeper had to make his first save of the day after 80 minutes of the match were played. He made a couple more decent saves in the next 40 minutes and also saved Vidal’s penalty in the shootout.
Gabriel Mercado – 6.5/10
Playing as the right-back, Mercado had to deal with the threat of Alexis Sanchez in this crucial encounter and he did decently to keep the Arsenal man from taking shots at will on goal.
Nicolas Otamendi – 6.5/10
The most experienced player in the Argentine backline after Rojo’s sending off, Otamendi did well along with his fellow defenders and kept Chile at bay for majority of the match.
Ramiro Funes Mori – 7/10
The young Everton defender kept his cool throughout the match and probably gave his best performance in Argentine colours. He made a brilliant last-ditch tackle in the dying moments of the game, denying Sanchez to take a shot from close range.
Marcus Rojo – 2/10
The Manchester United player was shown a straight red by the referee in the 43rd minute for a tackle on Vidal. Though referee’s decision can be termed harsh, Rojo should have refrained himself from making 50-50 challenges, especially when the opposition was down to 10 men.
Ever Banega – 6/10
Banega gave Chile jitters in the first minute of the match itself when he tried his luck from distance but the ball went just wide of the post. His set-piece deliveries were also below par and he was taken off for Lamela in the 111th minute of the match.
Javier Mascherano – 6.5/10
Mascherano started as a defensive midfielder in the match but was forced to move back after Rojo’s red card. Apart from making some early fouls, he gave a decent performance and also converted his penalty in the shootout.
Lucas Biglia – 5/10
Biglia was brought into the starting line-up due to an injury to Augusto Fernandez and his performance was well below average and he was also guilty of not converting his penalty in the shootout.
Angel di Maria – 6/10
Di Maria started the match well and created all kinds of trouble for the Chilean backline with his dribbling and pace. However, he lacked the finishing and was subsequently taken off for Kranevitter in the 57th minute of the match.
Gonzalo Higuain – 4/10
Like in the last two major tournament finals which Argentina played in, Higuain once again missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the 23rd minute of the match. He was taken off for Aguero in the 70th minute of the match.
Lionel Messi – 6/10
The Barcelona talisman was playing in his third consecutive major final with Argentina and was desperate to finally get his hands on a trophy with La Albiceleste. However, he was not able to produce his best in this crunch match. He did make some searing runs and was heavily involved in the game with Chilean defenders constantly fouling him. He even took a couple of long-range shots and a free kick in the dying embers of the match, but it was just not meant to be as he missed his penalty in the shootout.
The magician then surprised everyone as he announced his retirement from international football.
Substitutes
Matias Kranevitter – 6/10
Kranevitter was brought on for Di Maria in the 57th minute to provide some defensive stability to the team. He did well to keep the Chileans at bay.
Sergio Aguero – 6.5/10
The Manchester City striker came on for Higuain in the 70th minute and failed to convert an easy chance after getting into a good position. However, he grew in stature as the match progressed and was heavily involved in most of Argentina’s attacks in the extra time. He also converted his penalty in the shootout.
Erik Lamela – N/A
Lamela was brought on for Banega in the 111th minute to provide some pace and width.
Chile
Claudio Bravo – 8/10
Probably the best player on the pitch, Claudio Bravo literally won the title for Chile with his brilliant saves. His save off an Aguero header in the extra time which looked destined for the back of the net was the best of the lot. He also saved Biglia's penalty which was the final nail in the coffin for Argentina.
Mauricio Isla – 6/10
Isla started the match on backfoot as Di Maria was troubling him with all kinds of trickeries. However, he grew in stature as the match progressed and showed his attacking instincts as well.
Gary Medel – 5.5/10
Medel was physically very involved in the match and was time and again seen in a tussle here and there. He must have been relieved as Higuain failed to utilise the chance after the Argentine pounced on Medel’s misplaced back pass.
Gonzalo Jara – 5.5/10
Jara was highly ineffective and should be grateful to Bravo who covered his defenders’ mistakes on a lot of occasions.
Jean Beausejour – 6.5/10
Beausejour was lucky not to pick up a second yellow minutes after he picked his first as the left-back and Vidal partnered to bring Messi down. He did well on the attacking front late on and also converted his penalty in the shootout.
Arturo Vidal - 5.5/10
Vidal failed to impose himself on the Argentines as he would have liked to but did well to hold the play after Diaz was sent off. He also failed to convert his penalty in the shootout.
Marcelo Diaz – 1/10
Diaz picked up two yellow cards in the span of 12 minutes in the first half itself and made things difficult for his teammates.
Charles Aranguiz – 6/10
Aranguiz picked up a couple of knocks early on in the match which affected his play. He was forced to defend for majority of the match and later slotted his penalty in the shootout.
Jose Pedro Fuenzalida – 6/10
Fuenzalida had a decent outing and partnered up well with Sanchez on some occasions. He was taken off for Puch in the 80th minute.
Eduardo Vargas – 5.5/10
Vargas was ineffective in the early stages but picked up his game late in the second half and carried it through to the extra time before being taken off for Castillo in the 109th minute.
Alexis Sanchez – 5.5/10
Sanchez showed flashes of brilliance here and there but was nowhere near his best. A knock which he picked up early in the match did not help as well and he was taken off for Francisco Silva in the extra time.
Substitutes
Edson Puch – 5.5/10
Puch came on in the 80th minute for Fuenzalida and partnered up well with Vargas on few occasions.
Francisco Silva – 5/10
Silva came on for Sanchez in the 104th minute to provide defensive stability to the team.
Nicolas Castillo – N/A
Castillo came on for Vargas in the second half of extra time.
