It was Alexis Sanchez's brassy chip from 12 yards that turned out to be the winner in Santiago after Matias Fernandez to end Chile's 99 year wait for the title. Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz had all converted their penalties. Lionel Messi scored the first penalty for Argentina yet Gonzalo Higuain bursted over the bar and Ever Banega's feeble spot-kick was saved to leave Argentina without a Copa America title subsequent to 1993.
The sense that if Chile didn’t win it this time, with home advantage and a strong generation fit and in form, they might never win it was so strong as to be almost overpowering. This was probably the most important game in Chile’s history and it felt like it. The singing of the anthem seemed even more heartfelt than usual, a raucous outpouring accompanied by the waving of the flags that had been handed out to fans on their way in to the stadium.
Some, it seems, took things too far, with members of Lionel Messi’s family having to move into a television cabin at halftime after being abused and getting things thrown at them in the stands. His eldest brother, Rodrigo, reportedly was punched.
After the game though one of the team heroes Arturo Vidal couldn't hide his joy at the accomplishment;
This is a dream; this team deserved a victory like this," said midfielder Arturo Vidal
"The Chilean people needed this triumph, needed something so beautiful as being crowned America's champion.
"Today it was an incredible step forward for us, this generation deserved it," the Juventus midfielder said.
Argentina who also lost at the World cup finals last year to Germany were devastated at the loss as the Chileans gave them a good run for their money all game with a very good display both attacking and defensively. After the game Barcelona and Argentina midfielder Mascherano revealed
"We did everything we could but again it wasn't meant to be,"
"It's incredibly painful, and we know it's only going to get harder from now on."
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