A goal from a free kick and bright openings from Lionel Messi were not enough: Argentina missed its entry into the Copa America by drawing with Chile (1-1) on Monday during the first day of the group TO.
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There were many opportunities, but the lack of realism was glaring. After the first shot of the game, control of the knee and instant recovery from the left out of frame (8th), the Argentine captain showed his science of the free kick. At 25 meters in front of the posts, the ball rose just before the wall to plunge again with speed into the left angle of Claudio Bravo (1-0, 33rd).
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Vargas equalized after a missed penalty by Vidal
But Chile returned to a new lack of vigilance from the Argentine defense and a penalty obtained by Arturo Vidal. The Inter Milan midfielder wanted to do himself justice but his shot was repelled with a firm hand from Emiliano Martinez on the crossbar. Fortunately for him Eduardo Vargas appeared to push the ball with his head and equalize (1-1, 57th).
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As always, Argentina relied on his Messi to snatch the victory but neither his cross shot at the entrance to the area (70th), nor his bright opening for lonely De Paul (78th), or this ball deposited on the head of Nicolas Gonzalez (79th) did not hit the mark.
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The Argentine genius has tried everything, even to score with a header in added time. But it was with his head bowed that he left the lawn in Rio, aware of the two points left in the way.
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Argentina will face Uruguay on Friday.
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