Chile beats Argentina, wins Copa América for 1st time

Sunday, 05 July 2015 1:58 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 05 July 2015 6:39 AM ]

Alexis Sanchez holds up the cup after Chile beats Argentina at Copa América as members of the team are joined by their children to celebrate at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago on July 4, 2015. (AFP)

Host Chile has beaten Argentina 4-1 on penalties to win Copa América for the first time in a dramatic shoot-out in Santiago.

After 120 minutes of a goalless but heated final between two of the best teams of the tourney at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Arsenal forward Alexis Sánchez chipped the winning penalty for the hosts to win their first major trophy on Saturday.

*Sánchez scores against Argentina during the penalty shootout of the 2015 Copa América football championship final, in Santiago, Chile, on July 4, 2015.*

Gonzalo Higuaín and his teammate Éver Banega missed penalties in the shoot-out, which was followed by La Roja's winning penalty and celebration with thousands of fans present at the stadium in the Chilean capital Santiago.

In spite of Argentinian captain Lionel Messi's only score from the spot, Gerardo Martino's squad emerged second at the tournament and ended La Albiceleste's 22-year quench for a trophy drought.

*A view of the Estadio Nacional is seen during the closing ceremony of the Copa América 2015 football championship in Santiago on July 4, 2015.*

The Copa América is an international football competition contested between men's national football teams of the South American Football Confederation, determining the continental champion of South America. It is the oldest international continental football competition.

ARN/NT

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