After 120 minutes without a goal in the Copa America
and it was the tournament hosts who emerged
triumphant through a penalty shootout
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 s
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 wid
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 crossba
under pressure from the covering Pablo Zabaleta.
Lavezzi appealed for a penalty when he went down
under a challenge from Francisco Silva with five minute
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

Good one......