Chile ended a 99-year wait to be crowned Copa América champions with a 4-1 shoot-out success over Argentina in Santiago following a 0-0 draw after extra-time.
Alexis Sánchez kept his cool to dink home the winning penalty for the tournament hosts and send the vast majority of the fans inside Estadio Nacional into raptures.
Gonzalo Higuaín, who had failed to convert a glorious chance right at the end of a goalless 90 minutes, and Éver Banega both missed from the spot for Argentina.
It means Lionel Messi—the only Argentine to convert his penalty attempt – and his team-mates suffered final heartbreak for a second successive year, having also lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
Both sides had struggled to create clear-cut opportunities during normal and extra time, Higuaín spurning the best of the bunch when he failed to find the net from a tight angle.
A capacity crowd generated a tremendous atmosphere and Chile, coached by an Argentinian in Jorge Sampaoli, appeared to be inspired as they made an encouraging start.
Eduardo Vargas’ long-range strike flashed narrowly wide before Sergio Romero got down to his left to keep out Arturo Vidal’s volley following a swift Chile break.
La Roja goalkeeper Claudio Bravo then found himself called into duty at the other end, keeping out Sergio Agüero’s close-range header after the striker had got on the end of Messi’s dangerous free-kick.
Argentina suffered a blow when Angel di María pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury just before the half-hour mark, with Ezequiel Lavezzi replacing the Manchester United winger – who missed the World Cup final due to a thigh problem.
Lavezzi had a great chance to make an impact when Agüero cut the ball back into his path just before half-time, but the substitute could only shoot straight at Bravo.
Defences remained on top in the second half, with both teams walking a tightrope with some committed tackling that resulted in a total of seven yellow cards being brandished.
Sánchez almost conjured up a moment of magic to win it when he showed great technique to volley just wide of the far post seven minutes from time.
Argentina had one final chance to snatch victory in normal time when Lavezzi’s cross found Higuaín, though the replacement forward could only fire into the side-netting at full stretch when Bravo was struggling to get across to cover.
A shot fired over from Sánchez was followed by a Lavezzi penalty appeal being waved away by referee Wilmar Roldan during extra time.
With the deadlock remaining unbroken, penalties were required to settle the outcome. It was Argentina who blinked first, Higuain skying their second effort way effort over.
Chile were on the brink when Banega’s tame attempt was saved by Bravo, allowing Sanchez to step up and be the hero with an impudent finish as Romero dived the wrong way.
*Match report culled from Copa America web site: http://www.ca2015.com/en/news/chiles-long-wait-for-copa-america-glory-over-as-argentina-pay-the-penalty/fsm6m1235m9p1bizg5frh3rey