Messi
retires from internationals after Chile retains Copa
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[June 27, 2016]
By Larry Fine
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters)
- Lionel Messi blasted a penalty over the bar in what looks like
being his last act in international football as Chile beat Argentina
in a shootout to win the Copa America for the second year in a row
on Sunday.
Messi cut a dejected figure after losing his fourth Copa America
final, and fifth major final after Argentina's loss to
Germany at the 2014 World Cup, and said after the match he was
retiring from the international game.
"In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the
national team, it's not for me," the 29-year-old forward said.
"I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. Now I am leaving
without having managed it."
The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after
another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were
reduced to 10 men in the first half.
For the second year in a row, therefore, the two teams faced off in
shootout to decide who would take the biggest prize in South
American soccer.
It started well for Argentina when their goalkeeper Sergio Romero
got down to block Arturo Vidal's opening penalty but Messi blasted
over and Lucas Biglia's spot kick was saved by Chilean goalkeeper
Bravo Claudio.
 Substitute Francisco Silva took Chile's fifth penalty and struck it
low and to the right of Romero to give his country their second
successive title after winning their first on home soil last year.
"We're going to enjoy ourselves," Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi
said, before talking of his pride in his players.
"Before them today was the number one team in the world, with the
best players in the world and the best player in history."
DISAPPOINTING FINAL
The tension of the penalty shootout barely made up for a
disappointing game with few memorable moments for a sellout 82,000
crowd.
The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes, who sent
off Chile's Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude challenge
on Messi, before Argentina's Marcos Rojo was given a straight red
for a rough tackle on Vidal about 15 minutes later.
Three others were booked, including Messi for diving, in a first
half that had as many cards as shots on goal.
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Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi (10) reacts after missing a shot
during the shoot out round against Chile in the championship match
of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at MetLife
Stadium. Chile won. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who
have never beaten Argentina in open play in 26 previous Copa America
encounters, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither
side created any clear cut chances.
The 30 minutes of extra time was not much different, although Vargas
came close for Chile and substitute Sergio Aguero had a header
tipped over by Bravo.
Five-times World Player of the Year Messi, who surpassed Gabriel
Batistuta as Argentina's top scorer in the semi-final against the
United States, was heavily marked and had few chances to show his
brilliance.
"It's not easy to explain," said Argentina coach Gerardo Martino.
"Argentina should have won that game. It hurts. There are situations
we can explain football-wise and other situations that can be
explained, if you will, talking about our luck."
The tournament was played in the U.S. for the first time to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural competition and
expanded to include six teams from North and Central America along
with the 10 from South America.
(Writing by Andrew Downie and Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Andrew
Both/Greg Stutchbury/Amlan Chakraborty)
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