Lionel Messi airmailed a critical penalty kick over the bar to lead Argentina into the second successive final loss. This is after Chile beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties in the Copa America Centenario to defend their 2015 title, after 120 minutes of regular and extra time ended scoreless.

After Sergio Romero saved Chile’s first attempt from Arturo Vidal, Lionel Messi stepped up to the spot and sent his penalty shot well over the crossbar.

Claudio Bravo then saved a penalty from Argentina’s Lucas Biglia and Francisco Silva stepped up and beat Romero to seal the win for Chile.

Gonzalo Higuain nearly put his team into the lead in the 21st minute after a Chile giveaway on defence. The Napoli striker had a free run at Bravo’s goal, but his chipped shot dribbled just to the left of the goal.

Minutes later, Nicolas Otamendi had another chance to open the scoring, but his headed attempt from a Messi free kick went into the side netting.

In the 28th minute, Chile’s Marcelo Diaz received a second yellow card for a foul on Messi and was sent off leaving his team with 10 men.

Just before half-time it was Argentina’s turn to see red, when defender Marcos Rojo was sent off for a hard tackle from behind on Arturo Vidal.

The second half started slowly with both teams playing cautiously after each lost a player in the first half.

Argentina’s best chance didn’t come until the 84th minute when substitute Sergio Aguero picked up a loose ball and found himself wide open in the Chile penalty area, but his shot was sliced high and right.

In the dying minutes of regular time, Chile went close but Alexis Sanchez’s close-range effort was blocked away.

The final was shown live on StarTimes World Football Channel 254.