ARGENTINA have been denied three crucial World Cup qualifying points after a flat display against Chile.
Lionel Messi converted a penalty to put the Argentines ahead, but Alexis Sanchez levelled in the first half for the visitors.
In a game of few chances, Argentina rarely threatened to take all three points, though Messi hit the bar with a brilliant free kick.
THAT’S ALL FROM ARGENTINA
Argentina and Chile drew 1-1 at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudade in a World Cup qualifying match ahead of their Copa America opener later this month.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Lionel Messi beat Claudio Bravo from the penalty spot with a fine and composed finish.
The hosts were awarded the spot-kick after the referee checked the VAR monitor and declared that Guillermo Maripan had brought Lautaro Martinez down inside the box.
But Chile equalised just nine minutes before half-time when Gary Medel got a wonderful touch from a free-kick and flicked the ball towards Alexis Sanchez, who tapped it behind Emiliano Martinez’s net.
Messi came close to putting the hosts back in front just before half-time as he delivered a brilliant free-kick, which forced an acrobatic save from Bravo
After an entertaining first half, both teams went back to the dressing room with an even scoreline but the second half lacked the same energy and tempo.
Messi stood out as he kept Argentina in the game with some wonderful shots that could have put them back in front if it wasn’t for a few inches and Bravo, who was in incredible form.
The Barcelona legend hit the crossbar after taking another stunning free kick and then saw the Chile goalkeeper saving one of his efforts with one hand
UPDATED TABLE
Following tonight’s 1-1 draw at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades Argentina remain second in the table, with one point separating them from high-fliers Brazil.
Chile also remain sixth, which means they still have a lot of ground to cover
STATS
Argentina dominated 54 per cent of possession throughout the match.
The Albiceleste registered a total of 16 shots, seven of which were on target.
Chile, on the other hand, recorded seven shots, but only one of them was on target.
The hosts dominated in the air as they won a staggering 85.7 per cent of aerial duels
FT: ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
Argentina and Chile ended up being level at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudade in their World Cup qualifier.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Lionel Messi beat Claudio Bravo from the penalty spot.
The hosts were awarded the spot-kick after the referee checked the VAR monitor and declared that Guillermo Maripan had brought Lautaro Martinez down inside the box.
But Chile equalised just nine minutes before half-time when Gary Medel got a wonderful touch following a free-kick and flicked the ball towards Alexis Sanchez, who tapped it behind Emiliano Martinez’s net.
Messi came close to putting Argentina ahead three times but was denied by the crossbar and Bravo twice
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
AND THAT’S FULL-TIME IN ARGENTINA!!!!!!!
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
90+2 Messi hit the crossbar earlier on in the second half.
The Argentina international has been spectacular in the last few minutes and has been dealing with a very in-form Bravo
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
90 Four more minutes of added time to go until full-time.
And so far, the only person who seems to want an equaliser is Messi…
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
88 Argentina, or should we say Messi, are seriously knocking on Chile’s door.
The Barcelona legend delivers another brilliant shot that Bravo saves with his left hand!
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
87 CHANCE!
Messi fires an incredible long-range shot that Bravo barely saves as he lunges towards his bottom left corner!
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
86 SUBSTITUTION
Chile manager Lasarte makes another switch as Alarcon takes Aranguiz’s place
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
85 Argentina are the ones asking the questions as we approach full-time.
Chile have quieted down in the final few minutes and the hosts are pushing for a late winner
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
82 SUBSTITUTION
Chile manager Lasarte also shakes things up as Palacios takes Vargas’ place
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
82 SUBSTITUTION
Argentina manager Scaloni makes two changes as Palacios and Molina replace Paredes and Foyth respectively
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
80 WHAT A CHANCE!
Argentina come inches away from a second goal!
Messi delivers a wonderful free-kick from the right side which rattles Bravo’s crossbar
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
77 CHANCE
Pinares plays Vargas down the right flank and the striker tries a shot from a tight angle but sends the ball wide
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
75 Messi came close to scoring a second goal for Argentina with a marvellous free-kick.
Here’s how Bravo stopped him with a marvellous save:
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
73 Chile have been doing a better job marking Messi in the second half.
The Argentina captain has been very quiet and contained so far…
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
70 Both teams continue to be evenly-matched and it’s really anyone’s game.
Argentina still look quite comfortable but Chile are constantly dangerous on the counter-attack
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
68 YELLOW CARD
Aranguiz gets booked as he brings Lautaro down from behind.
This match could see a red card soon, based on what we’re seeing
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
67 CHANCE
Correa plays the ball down the box and delivers a left-foot shot that goes wide
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
65 CHANCE!
Sanchez fires a free-kick from a promising position but just misses Martinez’s crossbar
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
65 SUBSTITUTION
Chile manager Lasarte makes his first change as Pinares replaces Galdares
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
63 CHANCE
Alvarez gets his first touch in the game and tries a shot from the edge of the box.
But the effort lacks power and thus Bravo makes an easy save
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
62 SUBSTITUTION
Argentina manager Scaloni notices that his team still needs some spark and introduces Alvarez, who replaces Di Maria
ARGENTINA 1-1 CHILE
60 Chile have been dominating so far in the second half.
Sanchez has been very impressive as he seems to have taken the role of playmaker covering both midfield and attack
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk