Second shock of the Copa America, Monday, June 14, at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Messi’s Argentina faced Chile, for their first Copa America match, and did not make a success of their debut by conceding a draw (1-1), in a competition that has eluded him since 1993.
Despite a magnificent free kick from Lionel Messi allowing Argentina to take the lead (33rd), the Albiceleste collided with Chile in the second half. After a lack of vigilance in the Argentine defense, Arturo Vidal obtained a penalty (57th). This one was initially pushed back by the Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez before Eduardo Vargas did not appear to push him in the nets and pick up again (1-1). Despite several good chances, the Albiceleste conceded a draw, and Messi, with his head bowed, came off the field aware that two points had just gone missing.
⚽ @Argentina 1 (Lionel Messi) #Chile 1 (Eduardo Vargas)
End of the game in Rio de Janeiro!
@Argentina will play next Friday against #Uruguay pic.twitter.com/pWiXgH23PC
– Argentina National Team (@Argentina) June 14, 2021
This Copa America is so special … Relocation, pandemic, behind closed doors, contaminations, riots … The Copa America almost never saw the light of day. Argentina, initially the host country of the tournament alongside Colombia, withdrew from the organization, failing to contain the pandemic, and fearing another massacre in this country where football is quasi-religious.
Despite Brazil’s outstretched hand to the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) to take up the torch, the Covid-19 has once again disrupted the party. In total, 41 cases of Covid have been detected among the delegations, three quarters affecting players, according to Conmebol. Venezuelans, Colombians, and Bolivians enter the competition with decimated teams.
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