Chile beat Argentina in shoot-out to end 99-year wait for Copa America title

Alexis Sanchez’s chipped penalty gave Chile a 4-1 shoot-out victory over Argentina after a goalless draw in the Copa America final. Arsenal forward Sanchez scored the winning spot-kick with a brave ‘Panenka’ finish after Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega missed for Argentina. Higuain had earlier also turned a clear chance wide in injury-time in normal time, but Argentina were left still waiting for their first international title since 1993.

We Chileans needed a triumph, something like this Cup, today we took an incredible step, we’re [South] America’s best.

Arturo Vidal

Chile were looking for a first Copa America title, while Argentina had tasted defeat in the World Cup final against Germany nearly a year ago. After a nervy extra-time period, the contest was decided by a shoot-out, and it was Higuain again who contributed to Argentina’s downfall. Matias Fernandez, Messi and Vidal converted to give Chile a 2-1 lead, before Higuain skied his penalty over the bar. Charles Aranguiz made it 3-1, but Banega’s effort was stopped by the impressive Bravo. Sanchez stepped up to win it for Chile, producing a deft chip into the middle of the goal to send the Santiago crowd into raptures.

I have to take my hat off to the guys, they played with a lot of class and composure against a team that obviously have a lot of quality and a lot of good players.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli

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