Copa America: Chile holds Messi’s Argentina to a draw

A lot is anticipated to happen in the Copa America tournament with so many young and talented footballers are set to carve a niche for themselves as the summer transfer window is open for football club scouts to get things done.

Neymar jr. lead Brazil to a 3-0 win over Venezuela on Sunday as Lionel Messi’s stunning free-kick wasn’t enough to secure a three-point for his side after Chile held them to a 1-1 draw in the Copa America on Monday.

Messi’s magical left foot gave dominant Argentina a deserved first-half lead but Eduardo Vargas equalized in the second half after Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal’s penalty.

Despite the dominance, Argentine skipper Messi lamented that “we weren’t calm, we didn’t have control of the ball.”

His coach Lionel Scaloni saw things differently, though.

“We deserved to win but in the end, we drew. In any case, it’s only the start of a very tough tournament,” said Scaloni.

Meanwhile, before the game started there was a light effects tribute to Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who died in November aged 60, although the ground was empty due to coronavirus restrictions.

The first chance fell to Messi in eight minutes as Leandro Paredes picked out Nicolas Tagliafico on the left and the fullback nodded the ball down for his captain, who sent a volley wide.

Results so far:

Tobi Sangotola/Sportinglife