Argentina outlasts Chile to claim 3rd-place Copa finish as Messi's sent off
Argentina claimed third place from an otherwise forgettable Copa America tournament with a 2-1 victory over Chile on Saturday.
A heated affair came to a boil minutes before the interval when a fracas on the endline between Lionel Messi and Chilean enforcer Gary Medel saw the pair sent off.
Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala bagged first-half tallies nine minutes apart in a breathless stanza before Arturo Vidal halved the advantage 15 minutes after the break with a thunderous penalty that nearly tore the net from its moorings.
In the end, Chile dominated the ball with 61 percent possession, though La Roja could manage only four shots, with three hitting the target when compared to Argentina's 14 total efforts.
Argentina has now finished on the podium in five of the last six Copa America tournaments, though the wait to win South America's prized contest continues since La Albiceleste last won in 1993.
For two-time defending champion Chile, an ever-aging squad short on reinforcements appears to be nearing its end following a spell of strong showings on the continent.
Attention now shifts to Sunday's final between the heavily favored host Brazil and Peru at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.