Copa America: Argentina 1-1 Chile: Vargas salvages a point after Messi magic
Argentina had much the better of the first half and mercurial captain Messi put them in front with a brilliant free-kick in the Group A encounter at Estadio Nilton Santos.
Vargas came to Chile’s rescue after the break, heading home the rebound after Emiliano Martinez saved Arturo Vidal’s penalty.
Nicolas Gonzalez was particularly wasteful as Argentina were unable to secure what would have been a deserved victory in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.
Messi is yet to win a trophy with Argentina following back-to-back runners-up performances at the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, having also fallen short in the 2007 final against Brazil.
Giovani Lo Celso was Chile’s chief tormentor in a promising start from the Albiceleste, setting up chances that Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalez were unable to take.
Gonzalez headed over the crossbar after his shot was palmed away by Claudio Bravo and the forward also failed to beat the Chile goalkeeper with a tame finish when the lively Lo Celso sent him clear with an incisive pass.
