🌎 Chile fight back for draw with Argentina; Paraguay defeat Bolivia | OneFootball

Group A of Copa América 2021 kicked off on Monday with a thrilling match between Argentina and Chile ending 1-1 at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos.

Scorers: Messi 33′; Vargas 57′

Argentina maintained control of the first half with Nicolás González acting as the focal point until a little bit of magic from a quiet Lionel Messi made it 1-0 after 33 minutes.

A foul on Giovani Lo Celso allowed Barcelona’s talisman to step up for a free-kick and he put the ball in the top right corner leaving goalkeeper Claudio Bravo no chance.

With Alexis Sánchez out through injury, Chile lacked any presence up top and rarely threatened Argentina’s defence. After the break, however, things changed.

Chile pushed forward to tie things up and eventually caught Argentina on their heels. A clumsy tackle from Nicolás Tagliafico on Arturo Vidal handed Chile a lifeline.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved Vidal’s penalty but it hit off the crossbar allowing a lurking Eduardo Vargas to tie things up.

The remaining 30 minutes continued to be an end-to-end affair between the bitter rivals yet despite Argentina’s relentless pressure, Chile held on for a 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere…

Paraguay earned a 3-1 win over Bolivia behind an Ángel Romero brace and a Kaku equaliser.

Though Erwin Saavedra bagged an early penalty for Bolivia, SPAL’s Jaume Cuéllar was sent off just before half-time, which completely shifted the match in La Albirroja’s favour.