Chile celebrates Copa America victory after beating Argentina on penalties

Celebrating their victory.... Cup holders, Chile have stunned Argentina to win the Copa America Centenario in a penalty shoot-out as Lionel Messi's title curse struck again. — Celebrating their victory…. Cup holders, Chile have stunned Argentina to win the Copa America Centenario in a penalty shoot-out as Lionel Messi’s title curse struck again.

Simply Amazing! Chile wins the Copa America for the second year in a row beating Argentina in a penalty shootout. Here are a few details of the soccer action!

What an amazing tournament! Ultimately the best team prevailed on June 26th, when Chile outscored Argentina in a heated game to become the champions of the 2016 Copa America Centenario. After double overtime action and penalty kicks, Chile proved to the world they are the best team in the Copa America this year.

The final score at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in this exciting Copa America game saw Chile on top, 0-0 beating Argentina in penalty kicks 4-2. Argentinian star Lionel Messi, 29, was brought to tears after missing his penalty kick and ultimately losing the game.

It was a wild one. The officials lost control of this match early with two red cards going out before halftime, one for each team. The red cards were on top of the several yellow cards handed out. The discipline included a warning for global soccer superstar Messi, who got into a bit of trouble of his own before the second half even began!

Chile players celebrates after defeating Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks in the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, June 26, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Matt Slocum/AP) EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Lionel Messi still awaits his first title with Argentina's national team. Messi put his penalty kick over the crossbar, Francisco Silva converted Chile's final shot and La Roja won their second straight Copa America title by beating Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 tie Sunday night. — Chile players celebrates after defeating Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks in the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, June 26, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. Messi put his penalty kick over the crossbar, Francisco Silva converted Chile’s final shot and La Roja won their second straight Copa America title by beating Argentina 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 0-0 tie Sunday night.

Argentina played the aggressor in the first half, out-shooting their Chilean opponents 7-0 in the first half alone. Yet, neither Argentina nor Chile could not get the ball into the net during regulation as both teams were shut-out for both the first and second half of the game as well as 2 overtimes! Argentina had high-scoring games in every match leading up to this final but not in this one. Chile was the first team that has been able to slow down the high-powered offense led by world-class striker Messi.

It was a long journey for both of these teams leading up to the Copa America final game. Argentina delivered a heart-breaking defeat to the US Men’s National team in the semifinals, shutting out the Americans 4-0. Chile did their own bit of damage in the early rounds. The Chileans handed Mexico a huge defeat, shutting them out 7-0 before not allowing a score against Colombia in the semifinals in their victory over them, 2-0.

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Dejected after penalty miss...Lionel Messi leaves the field after his missed penalty contributed to Argentina's shoot-out loss. — Dejected after penalty miss…Lionel Messi leaves the field after his missed penalty contributed to Argentina’s shoot-out loss.

Messi blazed a penalty over the bar in the shoot-out before Lucas Biglia missed to leave Chile’s Francisco Silva with the task of stroking home the winning spot-kick in New Jersey. It was a carbon copy of last year’s Copa America final, also won by Chile on penalties after a goalless draw. Argentina’s players meanwhile were left disconsolate as they digested a third defeat in a major final following losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and Chile in last year’s Copa. The defeat also ensured Argentina’s 23-year wait for a major title – and a first for five-time world player of the year Messi – continued. The final had gone to penalties after finishing deadlocked at 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half as Brazilian referee Heber Lopes struggled to get a grip on an ill-tempered contest played in front of a crowd of 82,026. The first yellow card of the match came in the 16th minute when Marcelo Diaz brought down Messi with a cynical hack across the thighs as the Barcelona star advanced on the Chilean goal. Argentina should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when a defensive blunder from Gary Medel, miscontrolling a back pass, allowed Gonzalo Higuain to go clean through on goal.

Chile beat Argentina on penalties to win Copa América – as it happened

Chile just won Copa America after downing Argentina on penalty kicks for the second consecutive year. Chile becomes the first team to repeat as Copa America champion since Argentina in 1946-47. It’s more heartbreak for Argentina and Messi, as they lose in a major final for the third consecutive year. “Santiago, and the whole of Chile, has just gone crazy. And tomorrow’s a pubic holiday: the celebration will be long and very well lubricated, all accompanied by the best Latin music – and a lot of very happy dancing chilenos.” A fe minutes ago, Chile saluted their fans, who chanted “We Are The Champions (the Queen version).” Then the players huddled in the middle and sang and screamed among themselves. The camera cuts to Biglia weeping, alone and inconsolable. Messi sat down on the subs bench, looking stunned. Argentina’s drought continues – it’s now 23 years without a major trophy.

Messi the obstacle in front of USA’s Copa run

by Martin Rogers, USA TODAY Sports

Many things in soccer are easier to say than to do, and the entire concept of stopping Lionel Messi from wreaking havoc with his creative brilliance must surely top that list.

It sounds quite simple, doesn’t it? Just stop him.

In truth, such a task is perhaps the most difficult thing in the sport, which is why Messi, the little maestro from Argentina, is arguably the greatest player of this era and certainly among the finest of all time.

Finding a way to curtail his dominance is the next task presented to the United States, one that must be accomplished at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Tuesday if the host nation’s charmed run through to the semifinals of the Copa America is going to continue.

Buoyed by three consecutive impressive victories, USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is bullish about his team’s chances of handling Messi, citing their performance against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at the 2014 World Cup.

“We take it as it comes,” Klinsmann said. “There is no need to talk and make Argentina bigger than they are. We played two years ago (against) Ronaldo and that was a big game, too. We were winning 2-1 right into the 96th minute. We came so far now and we are hungry for the next step, even though we understand it is a big opponent.”

Klinsmann has a point, kind of. Yes, the USA did well against Portugal in what was the second game for both teams in the World Cup’s Group of Death. Ronaldo, Messi’s only legitimate contender for the tag of world’s best player, was indeed stymied and frustrated for most of the evening in Manaus.

However, Ronaldo was also nursing injuries, yet still managed to set up the late equalizer that broke American hearts, restricting them to a 2-2 draw when victory had looked assured.

Messi, now fully fit following an early summer back problem, is seeking to win his first major international trophy in Argentinean colors. He was in rampant form with a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory over Venezuela on Saturday.

Messi the obstacle in front of USA's Copa run — Messi the obstacle in front of USA’s Copa run

Yet even with the magic of Messi and the world’s No.1 ranked team in its path, a trip to the final of the Copa America, a tournament typically featuring almost exclusively South American teams but expanded for its 100th anniversary, is within reach.

“We have taken another step,” U.S. defender Matt Besler said. “We are closer to where we want to be.”

Getting to the title game would be the biggest achievement of Klinsmann’s five-year reign and be one of the most notable accomplishments in American soccer history. It all looked highly unlikely two weeks ago, when an opening game defeat to Colombia put both early elimination and Klinsmann’s firing within the realms of possibility.

The response has been superb, and built upon tenacity.

“We are a team with so much character to grind it out,” Klinsmann added. “They are more convinced of their ability now and have more confidence.”

Belief is a must, of course, when it comes to taming Messi, and often even that isn’t enough. Argentina is more than a one-man team, but when its talisman fires, so does the whole unit.

No one could stop Messi during the last World Cup until Germany found a way to do so in the final, using its multi-talented, multi-faceted lineup to keep him in check.

Whether Klinsmann’s group has the will and firepower to similarly crowd his shoulder, block his running lanes and deny him space remains to be seen.

Messi said little after the Venezuela game, except to note that scoring his 54th international goal to tie Gabriel Batistuta for the all-time Argentinean lead was not worth celebrating yet. “I tied it,” Messi said. “I still haven’t broken it.”

He sounded like a man with unfinished business, in more ways than one.

Colombia defeats Peru on penalty kicks to advance to Copa America semifinals

Colombia players celebrate their win over Peru in a Copa America quarterfinal soccer on Friday. (Peter Morgan / Associated Press)

David Ospina dived to his left, and Peru’s Miguel Trauco sent his penalty kick down the middle, a yard above the ground. The 27-year-old Colombian goalkeeper kicked out his trailing right leg, and booted the ball away to give Colombia an advantage in the shootout.

About two minutes later, Christian Cueva stood over the ball, looked skyward, exhaled deeply and skied La Blanquirroja’s final attempt over the crossbar.

With a 4-2 penalty-kicks victory after a 0-0 tie Friday night, Colombia reached the Copa America semifinals for the first time since 2004.

“We goalkeepers have the advantage that we can use any part of the body,” said Ospina, Petr Cech’s backup at Arsenal. “What matters is to stop the ball —with the ears, the nose, whatever. We goalkeepers have many resources.”

Third-ranked Colombia, which won its only Copa title at home in 2001, plays Wednesday in Chicago against the winner of Saturday night’s quarterfinal between Mexico and defending champion Chile. The United States faces Argentina or Venezuela at Houston on Tuesday in the first semifinal of the expanded tournament, played with 16 nations from throughout the Americas to celebrate the event’s 100th anniversary.

“We came into this match feeling a greater obligation,” Colombia coach Jose Peckerman said.

After Cueva’s miss, Colombian players ran out to celebrate with Ospina, who pumped both arms three times. Cueva turned and contorted his face in pain and covered it with both hands. Ospina walked over to join Peruvian players in consoling the 24-year-old midfielder.

“Being eliminated on penalties hurts even more,” said Peru coach Ricardo Gareca, who overhauled his team, and used a mostly young roster in the tournament. “It was the least pretty game of all we played.”

Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado and Dayro Moreno converted the first three penalty kicks for Colombia, beating goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Raul Ruidiaz, Renato Tapia had made the first two for Peru.

Ospina played just four Premier League matches for the Gunners last season and a few others in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. His sister, Daniela, is married to Colombia star attacker James Rodriguez.

“David is a great player,” Rodriguez said. “I wish he stays on the national team for many years. I love David, and today he was great.”

Before a sellout crowd of 79,194 at MetLife Stadium, most wearing yellow in support of Colombia, Ospina also made an outstanding save in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Cueva took just the second corner kick for Peru of the night and Ospina leaped to tip Christian Ramos’ header over the crossbar.

“We felt like we were the home team every time we played here,” Ospina said.

Ranked 48th, Peru had advanced from the group stage with a controversial Ruidiaz goal on a hand ball that knocked out Brazil.

Rodriguez had the best chance of the first half, taking a layoff from Edwin Cardona in the 22nd minute, dribbling through the midfield and curling a 23-yard right-footed shot that bounced off the inside of a post and bounded out. Carlos Bacca sent the rebound into the side netting.

Neither nation managed a shot on target in the first half, and each had just one on the second. Play became more open in the last 15 minutes as teams tried to avoid a shootout. Under the tournament’s rules, extra time is used only for the final, so the teams went straight to penalty kicks.

“We know that we can do better,” Peckerman said.

Irrational Copa America yellow card suspension rule hurts USA

Stars and Stripes FC – Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya are missing the United States’ Copa America semifinal due to yellow card accumulation. Two of the team’s best players will be missing a high profile match because they received yellow cards during the group stage and the quarterfinal round.

Bedoya’s suspension is particularly egregious because he received his first yellow card during the opening match against Colombia. A player being suspended for a huge match because he was given two yellow cards in four matches? It seems a bit silly whether you look at it from a business or a quality of play standpoint.

Yellow cards are erased after the quarterfinal, so at least the U.S. can look forward to not having players suspended for the championship or third-place match. It’s like being told you can get a free refill on soda after the restaurant refuses to accept your $100 gift certificate.

In a perfect (and rational) world, yellow cards would have been erased at the conclusion of the group stage. I’m struggling to come up with the reasons why they carried over into the knockout rounds.

The majority of fans around the world (and I’m sure tournament organizers) won’t care about the United States missing a few key players. This tournament is about the star players of Argentina and Brazil and Colombia.

But what if it was Lionel Messi who was suspended? What if Lionel Messi was given a yellow card in Argentina’s opening match and then was giving a card for something minor in the quarterfinal (let’s say time wasting). Now the best player in the world is missing the semifinal of a major international tournament because he received two cards in four matches. I imagine the rules would then be reexamined and altered to prevent it from happening again.

The U.S. is rumored to be appealing Wood’s suspension, but it’s doubtful it’ll be overturned. They’ll be heading into the semifinal without their best striker.

The card accumulation rules for Copa America are silly, and unfortunately the USMNT is paying the price.

Simply Amazing! Chile wins the Copa America for the second year in a row beating Argentina in a penalty shootout. Here are a few details of the soccer action!

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