Lionel Messi was sent off as Argentina beat Chile 2-1 to clinch Copa America bronze with both sides reduced to 10 men in an ill-tempered clash at Arena Corinthians.
Match Events
7' CLOSE! Aguero's shot wide out
12' GOAL! Argentina 1-0 Chile (Aguero)
Argentina lead in San Paulo! 1-0! Brilliance from Messi who is fouled at the halfway line, and takes the resulting free-kick quickly as Chile are pleading their case, carving them apart with a delicious throughball to send in Aguero, who rounds the keeper and rolls Argentina into the lead!
16' Sanchez subbed off with injury
22' GOAL! Argentina 2-0 Chile (Dybala)
Make that 2-0! Argentina cruising in Sao Paulo as Dybala does really well to take a pass from Lo Celso and spring himself behind the defence with a terrific first touch, before producing a wonderfully cool finish as he chips Arias at the near post to double their lead!
26' Ardent conflict between Agentina and Chile!
37' Red Card! Messi sent off
Both sides down to 10 men! Messi chases down a Dybala throughball that runs out of play, before engaging in a shoving match with Medel. Messi gives him a little nudge in the back and Medel took exception, turning and getting right in his face as both players are shown a straight red!
46' Yellow Card! Pulgar booked
59' Penalty Goal! Argentina 2-1 Chile (Vidal)
Penalty to Chile! The contact certainly looked to come outside the penalty area, but the referee has quite stunningly awarded Chile a spot kick! Argentina are livid with the decision, and Pezzella is booked for dissent. Game on in Sao Paulo! 2-1! Vidal hammers that penalty straight down the middle, with Armani diving to his left, as he cuts the deficit in half!
77' CLOSE! Di Maria and Aguero miss a good chance!
Match Report
Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala scored Argentina's goals as they beat Chile to take third place in the Copa America.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner appeared to be the victim of shoving by Chile's Gary Medel, but the referee sent both players off after 37 minutes with Argentina already two goals to the good.
Messi provided the assist for Sergio Aguero's 12th-minute opener before Juventus forward Paulo Dybala doubled Argentina's lead, but the first half ended with protests against the contentious red cards.
There were 21 fouls before the break and sparks continued to fly as Chile were awarded a penalty just before the hour, Arturo Vidal scoring from the spot.
Reinaldo Rueda's men failed to force an equaliser, but there was time for two further bookings that took the tally of cards shown to eight at the end of an explosive encounter.
Arif_Zaman
948
AhmedArif12345
897
Refree MOTM with the rating 9.9
VanishPrasad
559
Medel : you know How to become popular in football ? Random person : scoring goals ? Medal : na Random person : dribbling, passing ?? Medel : na na Random person : then how Medel : fight against the best players in the world
Desmondeyum
405
Just to clarify, Messi got sent off tonight for refusing to dive to the floor after being headbutted. That's what football has come to now. Jump to the floor, do a few rolls around, that's what you've got to do.
Trevorn
293
Dybala is that missing piece to Argentina's trophy less puzzle. It's amazing that the coach had to wait until they got knocked out again to realize this. Scoring in your first start of this years Copa America isn't just some big coincidence.
Desmondeyum
187
The only way u can stop Messi is by giving him a false red card
Albania1912
160
Give an award to this ref he find a way how TO STOP MESSI #Forca Messi.ANIMO.BE STRONG
WOMB__raider
85
A crippled man with thinking disabilities who also can't see or hear would pass better judgement than this referee. Definitely not a red card.
DeepHack
79
Undeserved Red Card .. Two unchecked VAR ... ( was penalty for sure) Its anti Argentina copa America
YourHighness
77
Imagine how Messi feels like. Every time there was an important game against Chile, his teammates let him down, and when it doesn’t matter, Argentina win...
mrike
66
What a shame. We don’t know what we are going to lose, once Messi hangs up his boots. Instead we hate, criticize and mock him. A player who never speaks bad about others, who pays respect and is the definition of humility. It’s an absolute joke. Always having your back, Champ. 💎
MalikAbdulAwan
58
Refree was absolutely blind. When it matters the most they don't check the VAR. This also shows the sportsmanship of Lionel Messi, the man never dives or complains. Only has 2 unfair red cards of his amazing career.
takaimory
52
1. Messi pushed medel intentionally although ball already out of play (he started provocation) 2. What do you expect the reaction of the opponent? just smile and walk away? this is Medel dude, not a simple person. 3. Medel reacted angrily as most of players would do so. but what messi reaction? he keep provocating, instead of offer apologize or try to calm medel down 4. Credit to both players for not over reaction by headbutt or diving. means they still kept their emotion in control 5. Neither messi nor medel deserved red card 6. If people shouting to ref bcoz they felt Messi didn't the red, so Medel didn't deserve it more than Messi. bcoz messi who started the provocation
Anhad⚽️
48
Some ppl who were in the chatroom might know what I was talking abt and y I was criticising messi. This is the reason why. I agree that Messi didn’t deserve the red card but this is the truth in the picture
JustGoWithIt
47
So I Watch The Match Over & Over Again To Make Sure I Give Honest Opinion On The 2 Red Cards ... What Was The Red Card For Again
21mvpcity21
46
In 2015: Copa America final, Messi and Medel fought for the first time. In 2019: Copa America third place game, Messi and Medel fought again. What a coincidence
panbeno
8
Refree MOTM with the rating 9.9
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it started with messi but I don't think he deserves red. yellow maximum. other guy sure red.