Argentina's sweet revenge: 1-0 victory over Chile in Copa America

Tthere is nothing like a last minute victorythat sweet taste of snatching glory from the jaws of a tasteless 0-0 draw. Argentina wins 1-0 against Chile It wasn't just a victory, it was a statement. It wasn't about revenge for what happened eight years ago this same stage against this very opponent. It was a cycle of joy, a constant delivery of excitement with the dream of a double championship shining brightly on the horizon.

THE Score 1-0 does not tell the whole story. It fails to grasp the hunger of the Scalonetatheir domination and the two brilliant saves of Martinez drawing which allowed them to keep control. This team has rediscovered its appetite for ball control, displaying a clear superiority over Chile. Now with a place in the quarter-finals assuredthey will face Peruknowing a draw will see them progress as they high level team in their group. This could give Lionel Messi a chance to rest, after playing much of the game while injured.

Argentina showed the physical tenacity and possession that was sorely lacking against CanadaThey got the ball back like a Formula 1 pit crew change tires, smother Chile and regain possession in midfield with synchronized positioning and runs that left their opponents no time to think. There was only one thing missing in the first half: finishingThe Scalonetas left their mark on the game, unlike their first match where control escaped them too often. Martinez drawing He was mostly a spectator, interested only in his feet.

Even when Messi started massaging him adductorThe team didn't panic. Without their number 10, they almost scored thanks to a shot from Rodrigo De PaulChile tried but did not achieve satisfactory results, not because of its shortcomings, but because Argentina overwhelmed them. Gareca's 4-2-3-1 formation almost transformed into one 4-4-1-1with Alexis Sanchez trying to make its mark. Meanwhile, Argentina oscillated fluidly between a 4-3-3 And 4-4-2according to Nico Gonzalezposition of St. Gonzalez had a solid first halftainted only by a missed opportunity.

Argentina continues to progress: overcoming Chile's defensive wall

Argentina kept controlor almost always. The second half mirrored the first, especially in the first 25 minutesIt was a monologue of touches, patience and triangulations, but Claudio Bravothe oldest goalkeeper Copa Americahistory At 41, he became a hero. He first saved a rocket from Nahuel Molina and then denied Nico Gonzalez using the crossbar.

The team seemed to feel the impact of having everything but not realizing anything. They lost their focus and Gonzalez's exit weakened the left side. Gareca exploited this, leading to two formidable blows by Rodrigo Echeverriawho, if it were not for the brilliance Martinez drawingwould have ended the evening differently.

But the goalkeeper revived the team. Scaloni made changes from the bench. Angel Di Maria And Lautaro Martinez It took a while to get in sync, but when they did… The team kept pushing until the end. It seemed like it wasn't their night when Bravo disallows Messi's Olympic goalbut in the return of another corner, came this disjointed goal. Lautaro took advantage of the rebound to scorekeeping the positive aura of this group that wants to write more history.

The reigning world champions will conclude their participation in the group stage against Peru on Saturday at 5:00pm PST has Hard Rock Stadium MiamiAnd if tonight's victory is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.