The Copa America Centenario produced a few headline-grabbing incidents in both fixtures on matchday 8. In the day’s first game between Chile and Bolivia, the holders edged out the minnows by a late, late penalty in very controversial circumstances, whereas Argentina hit Panama for five in which Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick, leaving the onlookers absolutely berserk.
Without any further ado, let’s get to the bottom of these as well as some other talking points produced in the competition on Saturday.
1) Chile stutter again
Following the facile defeat to Argentina in the opening game, Chile pulled another stinker in their second outing. Having struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, La Roja found the breakthrough early in the second half, but Bolivia struck back with an equaliser.
Staring down a stalemate and a possibility of a group stage exit, Chile huffed and puffed in search of the winner and Arturo Vidal saved their bacon when he converted from the spot in the 100th minute, causing an uproar amongst the Bolivians for the referee's controversial decision.
The reigning champions survived an embarrassment by the skin of their teeth, but it does little to hide their travails. Chile aren’t the same force that they were reckoned with at this time last year and need to get their act together before it’s too late.
2) Bolivia don’t deserve to be on the losing side
Having lost their last 6 consecutive games, La Verde thought they had arrested the run with a draw against Chile, but lady luck was not on their side.
In the 100th minute with Chile pushing for a winner, the linesman called a handball inside the box and asked the match official to award a penalty to Chile and Vidal made the most of it. The decision was highly debatable as it’s not totally clear whether the ball hit Luis Gutierrez’s hand but Bolivia were left to rue their luck.
They had frustrated Chile with their stringent defending in the first half and showed great quality when they scored the equaliser. If anything, Bolivia at least deserved to walk away with a point from this match.
3) Just Lionel Messi things
After sitting out of the opener against Chile, Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi again started the game on the bench, but when he was brought on in the second half, he made sure everyone in Soldier Field were on their feet.
After a scrappy first goal, Messi struck an impeccable free-kick into the top corner for his brace 10 minutes later, and completed his treble soon after when he twisted two defenders inside out to place a fierce shot beyond the grasp of Panama ‘keeper Jaime Penedo.
The hat-trick got him withing just 3 goals of Gabriel Batistuta’s all-time scoring record of 56 goals, and also level on terms with Brazil’s Philippe Coutinho in the race for the Golden Boot.
The entire world was waiting to see him in action, and Messi ended the wait in the most spectacular way possible.
4) Spirited Panama surrender in the second half
No one really expected them to cause Argentina any sort of hassle, but Panama relished their underdog status to give a really tough fight to their mightier rivals, only to give in during the final quarter of the game.
Los Canaleros did well to keep a high-pressing Albiceleste at bay during the initial stages and conceded the first goal only from a set-piece. They were soon a man down when Anibal Godoy was sent off just past the half-hour mark, but Panama remained unperturbed and continued to fight valiantly.
For a good 65 minutes, Argentina had their fair share of difficulties in finding the net but the introduction of Messi changed the dynamics of the game altogether. The 28-year-old ran riot to knock the stuffing out of an otherwise resilient Panama side, and all their hard work was undone when the numerical disadvantage finally got the better of them.
The scoreline may suggest a lop-sided affair but Hernan Dario’s troops didn’t go down without a fight.
5) Make or break for Chile and Panama
It’s quite unbelievable in what situations the two sides find themselves in. Holders Chile, who were expected to stroll through the group alongside Argentina, are left fighting for their lives, whereas Panama, supposedly the weakest in the group, are on the verge of a historic place in the last 8.
It all boils down to the deciding clash at Philadelphia between Chile and Panama on Wednesday. The winner will secure a second place finish, meaning a berth in the quarter-finals behind leaders Argentina.
With Chile completely out of form and Panama putting a strong display for much of the game today, the viewers may be in for an exciting third round in group D.
