Copa America 2015: Chile 0-0 Argentina (4-1 after penalties): 5 talking points

Chile created history by winning their first ever Copa America title beating ArgentinaIt’s finally over and Chile have won the 2015 Copa America. The host nation Chile have finally ended their 99-year wait to be crowned the South American Champions! The final saw itself going into the penalty shootout when either of the teams failed to score in the regular 90 minutes and the 30 minutes of extra time. After both teams had tucked in their first spot-kick comfortably, Higuain sent Argentina’s hopes crashing by sending his kick flying over the crossbar.A save from the Chile captain Claudio Bravo off Ever Banega’s spo-tkick meant winning the title came down to Alexis Sanchez scoring Chile’s fourth penalty, which he did in style by scoring a perfect Panenka down the middle.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Bravo gets the better of Messi

Claudio Bravo made a crucial save in the shootout which help them clinch the title

This clash was always being pitted as Lionel Messi against Claudio Bravo - the tip and the bottom of Barcelona’s championship winning lineup captaining their national sides for the ultimate continental glory. Both of them very much instrumental in Barcelona’s La Liga victory this season, it was always going to be interesting to watch them take a go at each other.

But the match didn’t go exactly as expected. Messi barely got touches on the ball, let alone be a threat on the goal. The only few chances Argentina had were safely put aside by captain cool inside the bars. Messi did score against Bravo during the shootout but that just wasn’t enough.

It was Bravo who had the last laugh when he lifted the Copa America 2015 trophy after saving Ever Banega’s spot-kick with much ease.

#2 Di Maria injury costs Argentina again

Angel Di Maria missed yet another final due to injury

With only 29 minutes played, Di Maria tried to do a bit too much and ended up getting injured, yet again. After trying a failed attempt at a brilliant solo run, the injury-prone midfielder felt some problem in his hamstring and was taken off for PSG winger Ezequiel Lavezzi.

His missing out on most of the game might just have cost Argentina the chance to win their first Copa America since 1993. This comes as a harsh reminder of last year’s World Cup final defeat against Germany, which he had to miss out due to a similar injury.

After having an injury prone season to forget at Manchester United, he looked like he finally re-discovered his form in the Copa America. He had put in an amazing semifinal performance against Paraguay where he scored a brace and looked set to play a crucial part in the final.

One can only be wonder if the result would have been different had he been able to play the whole game. But yet again, tragedy struck for the winger as he missed out on yet another final.

#3 Higuain woes continue for Argentina

Gonzalo Higuain missed a good goalscoring chance and a penalty in the Copa final

After missing out that wonderful gift of an opportunity during last year’s World Cup final, Gonzalo Higuain bottled it up for his country once again. Higuain stepped up to take up Argentina’s second spot-kick and sent it flying way above the crossbar.

And that is not all. Higuain also had a wonderful chance to seal it up for Argentina during the last moments of regulation time, which he ended up putting outside of the net. That goal could have been his redemption after the costly miss in last year's final.

With all these misses, he might just have jeopardized his career with the Argentina national team. Argentina has never had a shortage of good forwards and we will have to wait to see if Higuain gets another chance with the national team.

#4 Another poor game to round up a lackluster Copa America

Lionel Messi was kept quiet by Chile in the final

What seemed to be an entertaining game towards the beginning soon started to turn into one of those dead rubbers. And by those here means the likes of what we have been seeing throughout this tournament. This tournament will certainly not be remembered for any kind of beautiful football being played, not especially the final.

This match was just a snapshot of the whole Copa America 2015. The passing from both teams was way poor than what we have come to expect from some of the best teams of the world. Passes were wayward and were being easily intercepted. Both teams, especially Argentina, were being totally stopped from being able to break into the opponent’s box in order to do any serious damage.

#5 International laurels missing for Lionel Messi

Messi misses out yet again on a title with Argentina after reaching the final

While Lionel Messi might be one of the greatest players ever to have played the game of football, he doesn’t have a major international title to his name. He has lost the Copa America final and has failed to win a major international trophy once again - just like last year he failed to win the World Cup final against Germany.

Losing two major finals in two consecutive years, and one of them being a World Cup is definitely a big blow to his career. This generation of Argentinian players is probably the best they have had in years. If he couldn’t win it with them, chances are very slim he will win it with the next one.