Chile defeated Argentina 4-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw in Santiago to claim their first ever trophy, winning the Copa America in their home country to end a 99 year spell without silverware. Alexis Sanchez sealed the victory for Chile with a ‘Panenka’ penalty to send the Estadio Nacional wild.
The game started off as expected, a fast passed encounter with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. The atmosphere inside the Estadio Nacional was exceptional, with the vast majority of the crowd in support of Chile, the hosts were highly supported throughout the game. Despite the high intensity and pace of the game there was a lack of clear chances in the opening stages of the game, both sides having half chances but failing to realty test both goalkeepers.
Arturo Vidal had a good opportunity to open the scoring for the hosts in the 11th minute, the Juventus midfielder latched onto a looping ball and volleyed towards goal, the ball bounced awkwardly in front of Sergio Romero but goalkeeper got down to his left hand side sharply to save the shot.
Argentina suffered a server blow in the first half, Angel Di Maria was forced off early due to an injury; the Manchester United superstar has been one of Argentina’s best players in the competition and had to be replaced by Ezequiel Lavezzi inside the first half an hour. Di Maria’s injury is reported a hamstring strain.
The best chance of the half fell to Lavezzi right on the verge of half time, Javier Pastore got down the left hand side and rolled the ball to Lavezzi inside the area but his effort was straight at Claudio Bravo, a big chance for Argentina to go into the break with the lead.
Chile came out in the second half as they started the first half, attacking and pressing Argentina. Arturo Vidal found Jorge Valdivia in the box but the midfielders return ball was cut out by Javier Mascherano, a good chance for the playmaker to create a chance for his side to take the lead prevented by some good defending.
Chile continued to be a threat down the right hand side with Alexis Sanchez and Mauricio Isla, Sampaoli was looking to exploit Marcos Rojo throughout the game, Rojo is not a natural left back and was struggling on multiple occasions to stop Sanchez.
Alexis Sanchez came close to putting Chile in the lead 81st minute, the Arsenal forward latched onto a ball over the top of the Argentina defence but he failed to direct his volley on target, dragging his effort just wide. It would have been a spectacular finish from Sanchez but his connection with the ball was not perfect and the ball sailed past the far post.
The best chance of the game fell to Gonzalo Higuain in the last minute of stoppage time, Lionel Messi created space for Lavezzi down the left hand side and he sent in a cross towards the back post, Higuain was open to tap the ball into the empty net from a yard out but he failed to hit the target, the substitute with a glorious chance to win the Copa America for his side but he could only find the side netting from close range, sending the game into the extra time.
The extra period was uneventful with both sides looking lethargic and lacking any attacking intent. The addition 30 minutes was unable to separate both sides, the 2015 Copa America was to be decided on penalty kicks.
Matias Fernandez was first to step up and he found the top corner with a powerful effort, a perfect penalty to put Chile 1-0 up.
Lionel Messi stepped up next for Argentina and he found the bottom corner, Bravo was unable to reach despite diving the right way. 1-1
Arturo Vidal was next up for Chile; Vidal’s effort squeezed through the body of Romero and put Chile 2-1 up. Romero will be disappointed he failed to keep it out.
Gonzalo Higuain stepped up next for Argentina and the skied his penalty to give Chile the advantage; a night Higuain will not want to remember.
Charles Aranguiz had the opportunity to put Chile well and truly in the driving seat and he did so, drilling his penalty into the bottom corner, 3-1 to Chile.
Lucas Biglia was up next for Argentina but he was unable to find the net, Claudio Bravo saving well down to his left hand side, a poor penalty from the Lazio midfielder.
Alexis Sanchez stepped forward with the chance to win the Copa America for his country, and he did, a confident Sanchez chipping the ball down the middle to send the erupt the stadium and win the Copa America for Chile.
A well-deserved victory for Chile, their first ever trophy victory after 99 years without success. Sampaoli’s side were outstanding throughout the competition with some magnificent performances both offensively and defensively. Chile had numerous players who lit up the tournament with some fantastic performances such as Jorge Valdivia and Carlos Aranguiz and more, the ‘Golden Generation’ of La Roja bringing much anticipated success for the country while Argentina’s trophy drought continues.