Argentina 1 Chile 1 RESULT: Watch Lionel Messi net stunning free-kick before Vargas equaliser in Copa America opener

THAT’S ALL FROM RIO

Argentina failed to record their first victory of 2021 after picking up a 1-1 draw with Chile in their Copa America opener at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

The Albiceleste extended their undefeated streak to 14 matches but that was their third successive draw of the year and marked the exact same scoreline from 10 days ago when they last faced the Roja.

Lionel Scaloni’s men opened the scoring on 33 minutes thanks to a screamer by Lionel Messi, who converted a free-kick by sending the ball to Claudio Bravo’s top left corner.

That was Messi’s second goal in three international matches and took the Barcelona legend’s tally to 73 across all competitions.

But Martin Lasarte’s men equalised in the second half when Nicolas Tagliafico fouled Arturo Vidal inside the box after 57 minutes.

The referee checked with VAR and pointed at the spot from which Vidal failed to beat Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

But Eduardo Vargas quickly got the rebound and headed the ball to the back of the net in front of open goal.

Argentina complained about a handball by Vidal before Vargas’ goal but VAR didn’t agree with them.

The Albiceleste missed a raft of opportunities and paid for it, just like they did in their last World Cup qualifier against Chile almost two weeks ago.

Lautaro Martinez failed to beat Bravo twice on each half whereas Nicolas Gonzalez threw away three big chances.

That was an impressive result for Chile, who were missing record goalscorer Alexis Sanchez.

Former Arsenal and Manchester United star Sanchez suffered a foot injury during training and has been ruled out for the whole group stage.

Thank you for following the action with us, have a great night!

UPDATED TABLE

Argentina and Chile are now joint-top of the table after their 1-1 draw in Rio de Janeiro.

The Albiceleste and the Roja are now waiting to see how Paraguay and Bolivia fare in their match later tonight.

Uruguay kick their Copa America campaign off on Saturday against Argentina.

More below:

STATS

Chile dominated 51 per cent of possession throughout the match following a dynamic comeback in the second half.

The Roja produced five shots, with a whopping four of them being on target.

Argentina, on the other hand, registered a staggering 18 shots, but only five of them were on target.

Both teams put together a passing masterclass as they had an accuracy of 80 per cent each

FT: ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

Argentina and Chile drew again with the same score as 10 days ago in their Copa America opener at the Olympic Stadium in Brazil.

The Albiceleste opened the scoring on 33 minutes thanks to a screamer by Lionel Messi, who converted a free-kick and sent the ball to Claudio Bravo’s top left corner.

But the Roja equalised in the second half when Nicolas Tagliafico fouled Arturo Vidal inside the box after 57 minutes.

The referee checked with VAR and pointed at the spot from which Vidal failed to convert.

But following Emiliano Martinez’s save Eduardo Vargas got the rebound and scored with a header.

Argentina complained for a handball by Vidal before Vargas’ goal but VAR showed nothing

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

AND THAT’S FULL-TIME IN RIO!!!!!!

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90+9 There is a penalty check going on from VAR for a penalty.

There were suspicions that two Chile players handled the ball before the corner-kick

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90+7 De Paul takes it on but it’s no good as the ball hits the wall.

Why on earth didn’t Messi whip it in?

Argentina get a corner-kick

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90+7 Argentina get a set-piece from a great position down the right flank.

That will be the last play of the match!

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90+6 One more minute to go until full-time.

Both teams are running on fumes and can’t seem to break through each others’ lines

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90+3 SUBSTITUTION

A late change from Chile manager Lasarte as Galdames takes Meneses’ place

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90+1 WHAT A CHANCE!

Argentina come extremely close to a late winner.

Martinez Quarta delivers a cross from the right and Messi gets a header after a bad exit from Bravo.

The ball goes towards Correa but Pulgar clears the ball in the nick of time!

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

90 Seven more minutes of stoppage time to go!

Argentina dominate the possession in the last few minutes whereas Chile prefer to counter-attack

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

88 Both teams are evenly matched as we head towards full-time.

This can really go either way, based on what we’re seeing

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

86 SUBSTITUTION

Argentina manager Scaloni responds with a switch of his own as Molina comes on for Montiel

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

85 SUBSTITUTION

Chile manager Lasarte makes another double change as Roco replaces Medel and Alarcon comes on for Vidal

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

83 Argentina are still pushing for a winner but Chile are so lethal on the counter-attack.

By the way, important to note that there are birds flying really low towards the pitch and we can also hear them.

Not a birdman, so won’t dare to guess what kind of birds they are

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

81 SUBSTITUTION

Argentina manager Scaloni makes a double change as Joaquin Correa takes Gonzalez’s place whereas Aguero replaces Lautaro

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

80 WHAT A CHANCE!

Messi plays a magical flick inside the box where Gonzalez is unmarked and gets a header but fails to beat Bravo

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

77 SUBSTITUTION

Chile manager Lasarte makes a double change as Brereton replaces Palacios and Pinares takes the place of Vargas, who can’t continue

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

74 Vargas is being stretchered out of the pitch following an injury he suffered earlier.

Waiting to see on whether the striker will be able to continue

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

72 Wow, Vidal is very lucky there!

The Chile star lunges onto Otamendi from behind with quite a dangerous tackle.

Referee gives a foul but doesn’t book the Inter Milan star for the second time tonight

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

71 CHANCE!

There’s Messi!

Gonzalez gets the ball down the left flank and passes to the Argentina superstar, who is at the edge of the box.

The Barcelona legend shoots but Bravo makes a composed save

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

70 We’re not seeing much of Messi in the second half so far.

Chile’s backline are doing a great job keeping the Barcelona legend quiet

ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE

68 SUBSTITUTION

Argentina manager Scaloni makes a double change after losing the lead.

Di Maria replaces Lo Celso whereas Palacios takes Paredes’ place