By Augustine Akhilomen
Lionel Messi’s hope of winning a major trophy with the senior national team was dealt a big blow as holders,Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final via a penalty shootouts to retain the Copa America Centenario title on Monday morning.
Chile won the trophy in 2015 after beating Argentina via a penalty shootouts and this time around the Chileans repeated the same hoodoo on the team despite losing their opening group match 2-1 to them.
After no goals were scored in regulation time and extra time, Chile and Argentina were once again taken to penalties to decide the Copa America final. Once again Chile came out on top in a 4-2 win after Lionel Messi and Lucas Biglia missed their spot kicks.
Argentina’s players meanwhile were left disconsolate as they digested a third defeat in a major final following losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and Chile in last year’s Copa.
The defeat also ensured Argentina’s 23-year wait for a major title – and a first for five-time world player of the year Messi – continued.
