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Chile wins Copa America 2016

June 27, 2016

Chile has won a second straight Copa America title, beating out favorite Argentina on penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie. Lionel Messi put his kick over the crossbar while Chile's Francisco Silva secured the win.

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Chile players celebrate after defeating Argentina 4-2 in penalty kicks in the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Slocum

Chile upset favorites Argentina with a penalty shootout victory in the Copa America Centenario final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

"La Roja" retained its title in the world's oldest continental soccer competition by beating Argentina 4- 2 on penalty kicks.

Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina fights for the ball with Gonzalo Jara (R) of Chile
Messi has yet to take a title with Argentina's national teamImage: picture-alliance/dpa/M. D. Castaneda

The final in East Rutherford went into extra-time after the match finished 0 - 0 after 90 minutes.

Lionel Messi missed his shot in the penalty shootout, putting his kick over the crossbar. Francisco Silva converted Chile's final shot, securing them the title.

The rough game saw eight yellow cards and two ejections.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in the first half after Chile's Marcelo Diaz and Argentina's Marcos Rojo were given red cards.

Over 82,000 fans packed into the stadium for the final match.

Argentina last won the Copa America in 1993 and has lost three finals in two years. The team also lost the World Cup final in 2014 against Germany.

For the South American tournament's 100th anniversary, Copa America expanded its championship to 16 nations and held the event in the United States.

rs/jm (AP, AFP, Reuters)