Copa America 2021: Leo Messi goal can't help Argentina beat Chile

Lionel Messi’s free kick stunner was not enough and Argentina dropped two points on their Copa America debut against Chile.

Vargas netted after Arturo Vidal’s penalty was saved to level and after that the game was deadlocked.

Argentina opened the game with a flurry of chances but nobody took advantage of them, until Messi stepped up.

The free-kick was perfectly placed for him and he curled it into the top corner, beyond the outstretched arm of former team-mate Claudio Bravo.

Ten minutes into the second half Chile equalised. Tagliafico fouled Vidal and he took the penalty, saved by Villa’s Emi Martinez, but the ball bounced back off the bar and Vargas dispatched it.

Sergio Aguero came on for the final stages, looking for a goal and playing with Messi for the first time since they became club team-mates with Barcelona. But a goal was not forthcoming.