Messi put his penalty kick over the crossbar, Francisco Silva converted
Chile's shootout ending and La Roja won their second straight Copa
America name by beating Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 tie
Sunday night.
Playing two days after his 29th birthday, Messi lost a final for the third
year in a row following an extra-time defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup
and a penalty-kick loss to host Chile in last year's Copa America.
The five-time FIFA Player of the Year has won four Champions League titles
and eight La Liga crowns with Barcelona, but has never taken a trophy with
Argentina's senior team.
For its 100th anniversary, South America's championship was expanded to 16
nations and played in the United States, and Argentina was hoping to win a
first major title since 1993.
In an ill-tempered match that included an ejection on each side and eight
yellow cards, the match was scoreless through regulation and 30 minutes of
extra time, with Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain missing a clear goal-scoring
opportunity for the third as the crow flies final.
Argentina outshot Chile 16-4 and La Roja collapsed three, four and even five
defenders around the bearded Messi, then chopped down the diminutive attacker
when he tried to go faster toward the goal.
Messi, who scored five goals in the tournament, had a free kick 28 yards out
in the 115th minute after Francisco SIlva fouled him, but the ball deflected
off the wall and over the crossbar.
Messi's 35-yard free kick was headed on target by Sergio Aguero in the 10th
minute of extra time, and Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo jumped comprehensive
his right hand to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero saved the opening kick by Arturo Vidal,
and up stepped Messi, the best player of his generation and considered beside
Brazil's Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona as the sport's greatest ever.
While he won the titles at the Under-20 and Olympic levels for Argentina, in
the minds of many he needs a title with his nation's senior team to solidify
his place as one of the greats.
Messi sent his shot over Bravo -- his Barcelona teammate -- and into the
stands. Messi turned, bowed his head and clenched both fists in frustration.
Nicolas Castillo and Charles Aranguiz converted their kicks for Chile, and
Javier Mascherano and Aguero made theirs, leaving the teams tied 2-2 following
three rounds.
Jean Beausejour put Chile ahead, and Bravo dived to his right, saving Lucas
Biglia's shot and bringing up Silva, a 30-year-old midfielder. Messi briefly
pulled his jersey of his face, as if not wanting to watch.
Romero dived to his left and Sliva's decisive shot went in to his right,
giving Chile another title.
Messi crouched over, as if in pain, then got up, took off his captain's
armband and walked to the bench, where he was consoled by Angel Di Maria. After
Messi came back on the field, Aguero put a hand on one of Messi's shoulders.
New FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave Messi a pat on the back when Messi
came onto the podium with his teammates for his second-place medal. Messi
almost immediately took it off.
It was the fourth final loss for Messi, who also played for Argentina in
their penalty-kicks defeat to Brazil in the 2004 final.
A crowd of 82,076 at MetLife Stadium -- the largest to see a soccer game in
New Jersey -- raised the tournament total to just under 1.48 million. The
average of 46,119, nearly double the 25,223 in Chile last year, will be used by
the U.S. Soccer Federation as proof it deserves to host a World Cup again,
likely as part of a bid for the 2026 tournament.
Brazilian referee Heber Lopes became the focus in the first half, ejecting a
pair of defenders: Chile's Marcelo Diaz in the 28th minute and Argentina's
Marcos Rojo in the 43rd. After issuing six yellow cards during a World Cup
qualifier between the nations in March, Lopes handed out eight yellows,
including one to Messi for diving in the 40th minute, and the two reds.
Higuain also missed a tap-in of Ezequiel Lavezzi's cross during the final minute of rule in last year's final, then sent his penalty kick during the shootout over the crossbar.