Argentina 1-1 Chile: Lionel Messi scores as Copa America pays tribute to Diego Maradona
Messi #Messi
Lionel Messi scored a stunning free kick as Argentina drew with Chile after the Copa America paid a spectacular tribute to Diego Maradona.
Messi curled home from the edge of the area towards the end of the first half of the Group A opener.
But Eduardo Vargas headed in an equaliser after Arturo Vidal’s penalty had been saved.
Just before kick-off, Argentina legend Maradona was remembered with a dazzling light and effects display.
It saw a holographic version of the 1986 World Cup winner perform kick ups before clips of his goals were projected on to the pitch.
Maradona, one of the greatest ever footballers, died in November last year at the age of 60.
After the game got under way, Argentina took the lead 12 minutes before half-time when Messi picked himself up after being fouled just outside the area to bend in a free-kick.
It was the Barcelona forward’s 73rd international goal.
However, Chile levelled in the second half when Vidal was judged to have been fouled inside the box after a VAR review.
Vidal’s spot-kick was pushed on to the crossbar but Vargas reacted quickly to head in.
The 47th edition of the Copa America – delayed a year because of the coronavirus outbreak – was originally scheduled to take place in Argentina and Colombia but was moved to Brazil after the original hosts were stripped of the tournament.
The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) removed Colombia as co-hosts in May amid anti-government protests and Argentina were later replaced because of rising Covid-19 cases in the country.
The BBC is broadcasting all 28 games from the 2021 Copa America, which runs until 10 July and features the 10 Conmebol nations.
Line-ups Argentina
Formation 4-3-3
23Martínez
4Montiel2Martínez Quarta19Otamendi3Tagliafico
7de Paul5Paredes20Lo Celso
10Messi22Martínez15González
Substitutes
Chile
Formation 4-3-3
1Bravo
4Isla17Medel3Maripán2Mena
8Vidal13Pulgar20Aránguiz
21Palacios11Vargas9Meneses
Substitutes
Referee: Wilmar Alexander Roldán Pérez Live Text
Match ends, Argentina 1, Chile 1.
90’+10′
Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Chile 1.
90’+8′
Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Enzo Roco.
90’+7′
Foul by Eugenio Mena (Chile).
90’+7′
Nahuel Molina (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90’+6′
Foul by Charles Aránguiz (Chile).
90’+6′
Nahuel Molina (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+5′
Hand ball by Tomás Alarcón (Chile).
90’+3′
César Pinares (Chile) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+3′
Foul by Ángel Di María (Argentina).
90’+3′
Substitution, Chile. Pablo Galdames replaces Jean Meneses.
90’+2′
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
90’+1′
Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Enzo Roco.
90’+1′
Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) header from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.
90′
Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Guillermo Maripán.
90′
Foul by Guillermo Maripán (Chile).
90′
Sergio Agüero (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
89′
Foul by Tomás Alarcón (Chile).
89′
Exequiel Palacios (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87′
Offside, Chile. Claudio Bravo tries a through ball, but Ben Brereton is caught offside.
