Argentina celebrity Lionel Messi scored a surprising freekick however Chile hit again to earn a 1-1 draw within the Copa America on Monday. Messi’s magical left foot gave dominant Argentina a deserved first half lead however Eduardo Vargas equalised within the second half after Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal’s penalty. Regardless of Argentina’s dominance, Messi lamented that “we weren’t calm, we did not have management of the ball.” His coach Lionel Scaloni noticed issues otherwise, although.
“We deserved to win however ultimately we drew. In any case, it is solely the beginning of a really robust event,” mentioned Scaloni.
Messi’s freekick aim vs Chile from one other angle:pic.twitter.com/J3AaoeNGNP
— Messi Worldwide (@Messi_Worldwide) June 14, 2021
Earlier than the Group A recreation began within the Nelson Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro, there was a lightweight and results tribute to Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who died in November aged 60, though the bottom was empty resulting from coronavirus restrictions.
The primary likelihood fell to Messi on eight minutes as Leandro Paredes picked out Nicolas Tagliafico on the left and the fullback nodded the ball down for his captain, who despatched a volley vast.
Minutes later, Giovani Lo Celso crossed from the left however a sliding Lautaro Martinez may solely spoon the ball over the bar from contained in the six-yard field.
Argentina have been in complete command and Lo Celso picked out Nicolas Gonzalez to shoot from 20 yards however goalkeeper Claudio Bravo received down effectively to his proper to tip the ball across the submit.
From Messi’s nook Gonzalez headed over the bar and moments later he was launched by Lo Celos however shot straight at Bravo.
It could be a irritating evening for Gonzalez.
Argentina received the aim their domination deserved on 33 minutes, and inevitably it was Messi who scored, curling a free-kick from 25 yards out simply past Bravo’s dive.
They need to have had a second quickly afterwards however teed up by Gonzalo Montiel 10 yards out, Martinez screwed his shot horribly vast.
“I might be nervous if the crew wasn’t creating probabilities. The essential factor is we’re, we’re getting numerous gamers within the field. And it’ll go in,” mentioned Scaloni.
‘Defiant’ Chileans
Chile began the second half with extra intent and Erick Pulgar performed Vargas into the realm however his shot on the stretch was saved by Martinez.
Nonetheless, Vidal raced in to attempt to hearth dwelling the rebound and was caught by Tagliafico as he shot.
Referee Wilmar Roldan consulted VAR after which awarded a penalty.
Martinez tipped Vidal’s effort onto the crossbar however Vargas was quickest to the ball to move dwelling the equalizer.
Argentina have been quickly again on the assault however Chile centre-back Gary Medel blocked a volley from Gonzalez, who later headed over from a Messi free-kick.
Twenty minutes from time, Messi created area within the field however Bravo was down effectively to avoid wasting his low shot.
Gonzalez’s evening to neglect would worsen 10 minutes from time when he ran onto an ideal chipped move from Messi however headed over from simply seven yards out when it appeared simpler to attain.
It was his final involvement as he was substituted earlier than Bravo took the goalkick.
Argentina stored pushing however Messi headed over the bar in damage time as Chile held on for some extent.
“This crew did not wish to be overwhelmed, despite the fact that they did not play effectively. This group of gamers are defiant,” mentioned Chile coach Martin Lasarte.
Angel Romero scored twice as Paraguay bounced again to beat 10-man Bolivia 3-1 in Goiania and high Group A.
Erwin Saavedra gave Bolivia the lead from the penalty spot on 10 minutes after a protracted VAR evaluate.
Paraguay dominated all through however the recreation modified deep into first half stoppage time when Bolivia’s Jaume Cuellar was despatched off for a second reserving.
Alejandro Romero Gamarra restored parity simply previous the hour mark and Romero put Paraguay in entrance three minutes later.
Romero sealed the win 10 minutes from time as Paraguay loved virtually 80 % possession and had greater than 30 photographs.
The Copa was resulting from happen final 12 months however was delayed by 12 months as a result of coronavirus.
Promoted
It was additionally switched from authentic hosts Argentina and Colombia to Brazil on the eleventh hour as a result of pandemic state of affairs within the former and social unrest within the latter.
Brazil’s well being ministry issued an announcement on Monday saying 31 members of the taking part in delegations, together with gamers and employees, examined constructive for the coronavirus on Sunday, with out giving additional particulars.
Subjects talked about on this article