People say that vengeance is a dish best-served cold. In the case of Argentina and Chile, it’s been cold for a while and only needed a final touch. La Albiceleste, and specifically Leo Messi, still remember what happened nine years ago and then again a year later. Namely, in 2015 Copa América, Argentina and Chile faced in the grand final and, after a goalless draw, La Roja won on penalties. A year later, an extraordinary edition of the South American continental tournament was held in honour of the first Copa América, which was played 100 years earlier. Another final, another clash between old acquaintances, and another déjà vu for Messi and crew: a goalless draw and Chile’s victory after penalty shoot-out.Altro goal di Lautaro, bravino anche senza Inzaghi pic.twitter.com/jQo8dxtKpu— Wazza (@WazzaInter) June 26, 2024 Since then, the two national teams have met seven times in friendly matches, World Cup qualifiers, and the Copa América group stage. In 2019, Argentina beat Chile 2-1 in a third-place play-off, but all these matches were nowhere near as important as the ones in two consecutive finals. Messi even admitted that he considered retiring from the national team, thinking he simply couldn’t win a single trophy with Albiceleste. However, the tables have turned, and Leo’s fortunes changed. In 2021, he finally won the continental crown and, a year later, a world crown in Qatar.It didn’t take long for Brazil to disappoint: a third-tier goalie closes the gatesNevertheless, Chile still has a small pebble in Messi’s shoe, and now he might have gotten his final revenge, although it wasn’t easy. From that golden Chilean generation, four players, now veterans, were still there – Mauricio Isla, Alexis Sánchez, Claudio Bravo, and Eduardo Vargas – and all of them were in the staring 11 last night, and they surely know how to torment Leo and his team.Lautaro Martinez’ winner last night for Argentina was his 26th for his nation, he is ranked 8th in the all-time list of scorers for Argentina:5️⃣ 34 – Diego Maradona6️⃣ 31 – Gonzalo Higuaín7️⃣ 31 – Ángel Di María8️⃣ 26 – Lautaro Martinez8 goals from breaking into the top 5! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/wq5QrkBg4f— FUTB⚽️L Therapy (@saintandis_) June 26, 2024 Messi hit the post in the 37th minute was the only exciting moment in the entire first half. In the second period, Argentina continued attacking, but the Chilean defence was very organized and solid. In the 61st minute Fiorentina’s Nicolás González hit the bar, after the ball was deflected by Bravo. La Roja had its chances, too, in the last 15 minutes of the game when Rodrigo Echeverría attempted twice, but Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez saved both strikes and continued creating miracles when representing La Albiceleste.##NAJAVA_MECA_8180844##And when everybody at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey thought that another goalless draw was inevitable, Lautaro Martinez showed up. After Messi’s corner, the ball deflected a couple of times in the box until El Toro sent it home, bringing immense joy to the Argentinians. Not only did Argentina secure the quarter-finals, but it also sent Chile on the verge of elimination. Namely, La Roja has only one point, just like Peru, which lost to Canada last night 0-1 thanks to Jonathan David’s goal. In the ultimate round, Chile will have to beat the Canadians in order to advance from the group.
