The two teams faced each other in the United States, in the finals in 2015, in Santiago, and in 2016, in New Jersey, and Chile won on penalties on both occasions. In 2019, he competed for third place, and the two-time world champion won at the Arena Corinthians in So Paulo. Today, Messi scored a free kick, and Atletico-MG’s Vargas equalized in a rebound penalty imposed by Vidal.
In addition to Vargas, ‘La Rosa’ included two other players from Brazilian clubs, Flamengo right-back Isla and Grmio’s midfielder Pinares. Also on the field were defensive midfielders Aranguez, who played for Internacional, and left-back Mena, who defended Santos, Cruzeiro, So Paulo, Sport and Bahia.
Group A also features Bolivia and Paraguay, who will face Senna today at the Estadio Olímpico de Goiânia, and Uruguay, which advances to the first round.
Argentina started the game better and attacked more, but were halted by good performance from goalkeeper Bravo, who made at least three excellent defenses in the first 30 minutes of the ball rolling in Rio.
By the 32nd minute, Pulger dropped Lou Celso down a car from behind, Messi took a free kick in the top left corner and made it 1-0. Lautaro Martinez could have extended four minutes later, but, face-to-face, he grabbed it by the ankle and sent it out.
‘La Rosa’ came back strongly for the second half and secured the tie. Seven minutes in, Vargas was launched by pulgar and kicked to the defense of Emiliano Martínez, and Tagliafico caught Vidal on the rebound.
It took Colombian Wilmer Roldan more than five minutes to score the penalty with the help of a video referee. Vidal charged and was caught by the goalkeeper, but Vargas left everything in limbo.
After that, the game rolled around, but there was no clear tiebreaker opportunity. On the 25th minute, Messi got it from González and finished down, but Bravo took it. At 33, González himself was free on the left side of the field, but preferred to touch rather than kick and ruin the attack.
Both teams will return to the field next Friday. Chile will face Bolivia at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. Argentina will play the Rio de la Plata derby against Uruguay at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha.
