2015 Copa America | Again, Messi fails to inspire Argentina to victory

Argentina, for a second consecutive tournament failed at the final hurdle and Chile, hosts of the 2015 Copa America, won their first senior international trophy, ending 99 years of pain and anguish.

And just like the World Cup final, which went into extra time before Mario Gotze’s goal won it for Germany, this one went the full extra and into penalty kicks through which Chile triumphed 4-1.

The final was not a classic and just like the 2014 World Cup final, Lionel Messi failed to really sparkle and again his country fell flat.

His aspirations of greatness in his country of birth continues to face a brick wall even though he has led Barcelona to 25 major titles in the last eight years.

And the omens were not good for the Argentines for as early as the 28th minute, Angel Di Maria, had to leave the pitch with a muscle injury.

Di Maria had shone with two goals in the 6-1 demolition of Paraguay but Ezequiel Lavezzi replaced him.

Chile were their hungry self, chasing and pressing the Argentina defence and midfield and that made for a tetchy encounter that saw seven yellow cards – four to Chile and three to Argentina.

The match also produced few chances of note, as there were just six shots on target in 120 minutes but the raucous atmosphere at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago de Chile more than made up for the less than spectacular happenings on the pitch.

And so many Argentines, disappointed with the result, took to social media, blaming the Argentina coach, Gerardo Martino, for making poor substitutions as he left the hero of the penalty shootout win over Colombia, Carlos Tevez, on the bench for the whole duration of the match and instead put on Gonzalo Higuain, who is making a name for choking on the big occasions.

Higuain had chances to score against Germany last year in Brazil but fluffed his lines and he also had a golden chance to win it for his country two minutes into injury time, but he only found the side netting.

In the penalty kicks, Messi was the only Albiceleste player to score, but that would not be enough to douse the pain of arguably the best player in the world.

And the questions will continue – will he ever be able to aspire to the pantheon of greatness of players like fellow countryman, Diego Maradona and Pele, two players who though very brilliant for different clubs, also ensured they led their country to win major trophies.