Reigning Copa America champions Chile saw their title defense begin on a low note as they were beaten 2-1 by Argentina, who were without their talisman, Lionel Messi.
After a series of near-misses, La Albiceleste finally broke the deadlock through Andel di Maria 6 minutes into the second half and doubled their lead shortly after as Ever Banega’s effort took a slight deflection before finding the back of the net.
La Roja, who were limping for most of the game, found a late consolation through Jose Pedro Fuenzalida but slumped to a worrying fifth defeat in their last 6 games as Argentina gained a measure of revenge for the heart-break in last year’s final.
Here are some of the points to ponder from the high-profile clash in Santa Clara.
#1 No Messi, no problem for Argentina
The biggest news prior to the kick-off was that of Lionel Messi missing out on the re-match of last year’s Copa final on account of the back problem he picked up in a friendly against Honduras just 4 days ago. The Barcelona ace was although seated on the bench as manager Gerard Martino opted against taking any risks and rested him from the clash altogether.
Regardless, Argentina comfortably sailed to a victory having dominated the clash for large spells of the game.
After missing a couple of good chances in the first half, The Argentines came out storming again in the second and found the breakthrough when Angel di Maria slotted past Claudio Bravo at the far post after being sent through on goal by Ever Banega. The Sevilla star then got on the scoresheet himself just 8 minutes later when he netted from the same angle, albeit with some help from a deflection.
With some top dogs like Brazil and Uruguay faltering in the absence of their star mans Neymar and Suarez respectively, Argentina, contrastingly, were unpurturbed sans skipper Messi and showed there is more to the team than just him.
#2 Chile still stuck in the lurch
Winning the Copa America on home soil marked a special occasion in the country’s 99-year history as it was their first ever international trophy. It was prognosticated to be the start of a new era in Latin-America, but Chile have been light years away from proving it.
Post the triumph, the Reds have won only 4 times in the next 10 games, losing 5 of their 6 including 3 in succession after the latest setback. This abysmal run of results has put manager Juan Antonio Pizzi, who succeeded Jorge Sampaoli this January, in a wringer.
Chile have looked very predictable under him and have lost the verve with which they romped to the Copa America title just 12 months ago. Now the defeat on the opening day in the Centenario edition mounts some serious pressure on him and on the defending champions.
Although Panama and Bolivia shouldn’t prove to be tough for them to progress, their performance this year suggests it won’t be long enough when they’ll be dethroned as champions.
#3 Di Maria rises to the fore
Paris St.Germain star Angel Di Maria has had a great season with the French giants, helping them lift a ‘domestic treble’ and has certainly carried that form with Argentina in the Copa America.
El Fideo terrorized the left flank with his buccaneering runs and had 2 really good attempts from there inside 10 minutes of the match. He also laid an inch-perfect cross to Nicolas Gaitan, whose header clipped the post when the clock read just 2 minutes.
Post the break, the ex-Real Madrid man was sent clear by Ever Banega and nonchalantly struck past Bravo. Just 8 minutes later, he returned the favour with another sublime cross to Banega, who then doubled the lead.
Di Maria was a creative force again who stemmed most of his side’s chances and stepped up to the plate to effectively fill the void left by Messi.
#4 Higuain leaves an on-looking Klopp perplexed
Napoli hitman Gonzalo Higuain has long been subject to a Liverpool transfer and the Reds are considering serious offers for the Argentine this summer. Higuain struck 36 times for his club side to set a new record and also propel them to a second place finish in the Serie A, once again showing his imperious scoring prowess.
With Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp casting his eye over the Argentinian centre-forward from the stands, Higuain, though, came up short. The 28-year old hardly tested the Chilean backline, leaving little to no impact in the final third and sending the German manager into perplexion.
Higuain has enjoyed several prolific years with his clubs, but has disappointed at big stages with Argentina, case in point his poor performance in the finals last year and also a penalty miss in the shoot-out. Now in this high-profile clash, Higuain missed yet another opportunity to shine and also to impress the scouting Klopp.
#5 Huge boost for the Argentinians
It's too early to deduce, but tournament favourites Argentina look set to go all the way this time as well. Runners-up last year, La Albiceleste have sent an ominous warning with a clinical display today and they are the ones whom every other team should be afraid of.
Gerardo Martino and co. are gunning for a first major title in 23 years and ending the drought in the 100th edition would really mean special. Argentina have arguably the best squad in the competition and with Lionel Messi returning to the team from next game, stopping them will be seemingly impossible.
With Chile, Brazil and Uruguay not looking in good shape and the likes of Colombia, USA and Mexico also looking like mere “also rans” none on them can be considered favourites to the lift the trophy. That leaves only one clear challenger – Argentina.
This is their best chance at a silverware, and Argentina would be crazy to throw it away.
