Chile Worthy Champions as Under-Par Argentina Limp to Another Final Defeat

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 4, 2015

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With the two best teams disputing the final of a major international tournament, great things were expected of Chile and Argentina's Copa America decider. Lionel Messi and his Albiceleste colleagues were not up to the task, however, and while the hosts celebrated wildly, Argentina slumped to a defeat that could signify the end of an era. 

The margins in top competition are razor-thin. On another day, Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega would have slotted their penalties, Alexis Sanchez's impudent panenka would have ended in disaster and Gerardo Martino's men would be celebrating their Copa America crown. A shootout is rarely a fair way to end a match. 

This time, however, one cannot help but consider that the right team prevailed. Argentina left their best football in the semi-finals and fell painfully flat across the 120 minutes before Higuain and Banega's misfortune delivered the coup de grace. 

Just like in 2014 following Mario Gotze's late heartbreaking goal, we must make the same conclusions. Led by the irrepressible Javier Mascherano, the Argentine team showed admirable reserves of courage and resistance. But despite boasting a team packed with talents, they have once more failed to score and take the result when it most mattered. The entire front line played like perfect strangers, with Sergio Aguero a forlorn figure alone up front and Javier Pastore only appearing intermittently.

In the semi, they could at least appeal to the genius of the Messiah. But Lionel Messi was nullified for perhaps the first time in 2015, with Gary Medel leading the way and his defensive team-mates following with an uncompromisingly committed marking job. Tonight, when the dejected captain closes his eyes, he will still see the Pitbull stalking him, preparing to leave another mark like the bootprint he left on his ribcage. 



Drilled to almost military discipline by Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, Chile...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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