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Agence France-Presse

Holders Chile stunned Argentina to win the Copa America Centenario in a penalty shoot-out here Sunday as Lionel Messi’s title curse struck again.
Messi blazed a penalty over the bar in the shoot-out before Lucas Biglia missed to leave Chile’s Francisco Silva with the task of stroking home the winning spot-kick at the MetLife Stadium.
It was a carbon copy of last year’s Copa America final, also won by Chile on penalties after a goalless draw.

               

Argentina’s players meanwhile were left disconsolate as they digested a third defeat in a major final following losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and Chile in last year’s Copa.
The defeat also ensured Argentina’s 23-year wait for a major title – and a first for five-time world player of the year Messi – continued.
The final had gone to penalties after finishing deadlocked at 0-0 after 120 minutes.
Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half as Brazilian referee Heber Lopes struggled to get a grip on an ill-tempered contest played in front of a crowd of 82,026.

               Colombia down USA to grab third spot at the Copa America Centenario
            
The first yellow card of the match came in the 16th minute when Marcelo Diaz brought down Messi with a cynical hack across the thighs as the Barcelona star advanced on the Chilean goal. 
Argentina should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when a defensive blunder from Gary Medel, miscontrolling a back pass, allowed Gonzalo Higuain to go clean through on goal. 

               


               Higuain had time and space but opted to lift his shot over the advancing Bravo and it rolled wide of the post in a huge let-off for Chile.
It was a nightmarish case of deja vu for Higuain, who missed potentially match winning chances in both the 2014 World Cup final and last year’s Copa America. 
Seven minutes later Chile were left rocking when Messi burst forward only to be bodychecked blatantly by Diaz. 
For a moment it appeared that referee Lopes had forgotten Diaz’s earlier caution but eventually he brandished a red card and Chile were down to 10. 

               Chile set up Copa America Centenario final against Argentina after downing Colombia
            
It ought to have been a warning to both sides but the spiteful tone continued for the remainder of the half, with Javier Mascherano and Arturo Vidal next into the book in the 37th minute. 
The next flare-up came on 40 minutes when Messi darted into the box at high speed and tumbled over following a collision with Jose Pedro Fuenzalida. 
Chile’s players surrounded Lopes demanding a yellow card for a dive and Messi was duly booked even though it looked for all the world as if he had simply gone down after being caught off balance. 
Two minutes from half-time and Lopes was reaching for a red card, this time sending off Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo for a rough tackle on Vidal. 

               

The cards continued in a fractious start to the second half, Jean Beausejour booked for hacking at Gabriel Mercado. 
A cynical foul on Messi by Charles Aranguiz resulted in another yellow card.
The introduction of Sergio Aguero for Higuain had little effect with Argentina failing to break the stalemate.
Chile striker Eduardo Vargas went close on the 80th minute, thumping a fierce low shot that Romero did well to block at his near post.
Aguero had a chance to steal victory in the 84th minute when he was worked into space on the right of the box but he blazed his shot high and wide.
There was still time for late drama when Ramiro Funes-Mori made a stunning match-saving block to deny Alexis Sanchez. 
From the Argentinian counter-attack, Messi surged forward from halfway to shoot wide.
Amid suffocating tension in extra-time, Chile had the best early chance to score in the 98th minute when he headed Edson Puch’s cross only to be denied by Romero.
Aguero then drew a fine save from Bravo with a looping header.
After that there was little in the way of chances, leaving the game to hinge on the penalty shoot-out.


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Copa America 2016

Chile seal dramatic penalty shoot-out Copa America victory over Argentina after epic finale

Chile’s players celebrate after defeating Argentina in the penalty shoot-out to win the Copa America Centenario final. Photo: AFP

Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pulls off a save following a header by Argentina's Sergio Aguero (out of frame) during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA

(L to R) Chile's goalie Claudio Bravo, Argentina's Sergio Aguero, Chile's Gonzalo Jara and Chile's Arturo Vidal vie for the ball during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / NELSON ALMEIDA

Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures after missing his shot during the penalty shoot-out against Chile during the Copa America Centenario final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, on June 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT

Colombia down USA to grab third spot at the Copa America Centenario

Carlos Bacca nets for Colombia as they scoop third place at the Copa America in Glendale, Arizona. Photo: AFP

Jun 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; United States midfielder Bobby Wood (7) breaks away in the second half against Colombia during the third place match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at University of Phoenix Stadium. Columbia beat the United States 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

GLENDALE, AZ - JUNE 25: Goalkeeper David Ospina #1 of Colombia and teammates recive their medals after defeating United States 1-0 in the 2016 Copa America Centenario third place match at University of Phoenix Stadium on June 25, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Colombia's fans celebrate in the end of the Copa America Centenario third place football match against the USA in Glendale, Arizona, United States, on June 25, 2016. Colombia won by 1-0. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON

Chile set up Copa America Centenario final against Argentina after downing Colombia

Chile midfielder Charles Aranguiz reacts after scoring against Colombia. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Chile's Charles Aranguiz (C) vies for the ball with Colombia's Edwin Cardona and Daniel Torres vie for the ball during the Copa America Centenario semifinal football match in Chicago, Illinois, United States, on June 22, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Nicholas Kamm

Lionel Messi becomes Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer in Copa America rout of US

Record-breaking Lionel Messi waves to the crowd after the match. Photo: AFP

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 21: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina dribbles the ball against John Brooks #6 of United States in the second half during a 2016 Copa America Centenario Semifinal match at NRG Stadium on June 21, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Bob Levey/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Jun 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi (22) flip over the boards during the second half against the United States in the semifinals of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sport

Football

Chile claim the Centenario edition on penalties following a hard-fought shoot-out victory over Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey after the final finishes goalless
