RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored among his trademark free-kicks from first half but Eduardo Vargas equalised to Chile at the next to depart honours even at 1-1 in their Copa America opener at Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
When both sides met in a World Cup qualifier earlier this season, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo acrobatically saved one Messi free twist and a second struck the woodwork but now that the Barcelona participant went better, bending a good pair bit to the corner of the net from 25 meters out after 33 minutes.
Though they defeated Argentina on penalties at the Copa America finals of 2015 and 2016, Chile had never defeated their acquaintances over 90 minutes in this championship and their job got even tougher following Messi started the scoring.
Missing Alexis Sanchez during trauma, the Chileans nonetheless hurried back to equalise 13 minutes into the second half rather lucky situation following a VAR consultation resulted in these being awarded a penalty kick.
Arturo Vidal’s strong shot was tipped on to the pub by Emiliano Martinez however Vargas followed to go home the rebound.
The match was played at a deserted Nilton Santos arena, the website of this course and field events in the 2016 Olympic Games, together with the two sides getting bogged down to a bad pitch.
Chile will likely be more happy with a stage than Argentina, who’ve drawn four of the past five matches.
The Argentines, using Messi always hazardous but Stuttgart winger Nicolas Gonzalez profligate in front of purpose, had more opportunities to win all 3 factors.
“We had seven or six apparent opportunities and we overlooked them and Chile acquired a great draw,” said keeper Martinez.
“The possibilities we left now proved sufficient to win fouror five-one.” Chile, however, are nothing if not resilient and they defended stoutly during and especially during the last minutes when their opponents threw balls into the box searching for a winner.
Paraguay take on Bolivia from the second Group A match after on Monday, together with Uruguay, the fifth largest group in the area, debuting on Friday.