Lionel Messi free kick not sufficient as Argentina held to attract by Chile

By: Reuters | Rio De Janeiro (brazil) |
Updated: June 15, 2021 8:09:01 am
Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored certainly one of his trademark free kicks within the first half however Eduardo Vargas equalised for Chile within the second to go away honours even at 1-1 of their Copa America opener in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
When the 2 sides met in a World Cup qualifier earlier this month, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo acrobatically saved one Messi free kick and one other hit the woodwork however this time the Barcelona participant went one higher, curling an excellent set piece into the nook of the online from 25 meters out after 33 minutes.
Although they overcame Argentina on penalties within the Copa America finals of 2015 and 2016, Chile had by no means crushed their neighbours over 90 minutes on this match and their job bought even more durable after Messi opened the scoring.
Missing Alexis Sanchez by harm, the Chileans however battled again to equalise 13 minutes into the second half in moderately lucky circumstances after a VAR session led to them being awarded a penalty kick.
Arturo Vidal’s highly effective shot was beautifully tipped on to the bar by Emiliano Martinez however Vargas adopted as much as head residence the rebound.
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The recreation was performed in a abandoned Nilton Santos stadium, the location of the monitor and discipline occasions on the 2016 Olympic Games, with either side getting slowed down on a poor pitch.
Chile might be happier with a degree than Argentina, who’ve now drawn 4 of their final 5 video games.
The Argentines, with Messi at all times harmful however Stuttgart winger Nicolas Gonzalez profligate in entrance of objective, had extra probabilities to win all three factors.
“We had six or seven clear chances and we missed them and Chile got a good draw,” mentioned keeper Martinez. “The chances we made today were enough to win by four- or five-one.”
Chile, although, are nothing if not resilient and so they defended stoutly all through and significantly throughout the ultimate moments when their opponents threw balls into the field in search of a winner.
Paraguay tackle Bolivia within the second Group A recreation afterward Monday, with Uruguay, the fifth staff within the part, debuting on Friday.