It was the rematch many wanted, just not in the appropriate venue.
Argentina and Chile met for placement in their third-straight Copa America, but this time it was for third place and not the final.
So, in an odd twist for a third-place game, the greatest player in the world was sent off for the first time in 14 years.
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Tempestuous early and then firmly in Argentina’s hands at 2-0 after less than 22 minutes, the match hit a new flashpoint as Messi and Gary Medel were both sent off the pitch by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar after a perceived head-to-head incident between the Argentine captain and Chile’s hatchet man.
It was Messi’s first red since an Argentina friendly against Hungary on Aug. 17, 2005. He has never been sent off for Barcelona.
And are we being naive if we say the twin red cards were awarded for a whole lot of nothing? Astoundingly, VAR reportedly had a look at the fouls and said, “Yeah, sure. Keep it.” You be the judge:
#CA2019Telemundo ¿Injusta la roja a #Messi?
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 6, 2019
Danos tu opinión... pic.twitter.com/Y3rxTXzUxa
Chile won as hosts in 2015 as well as in the United States-based 2016 Centenario, both after 0-0 results led to penalty kicks.
The 0-0 was eliminated early on Saturday, as Lionel Messi took a quick free kick to Sergio Aguero. The Man City man danced around the keeper to slot for 1-0.
This turn from Dybala, however is the real beauty. Spurs target Giovanni Lo Celso slid a pass between two defenders, and his Juventus receiver brought the ball in front of him with perfect touch.
#CA2019Telemundo ¡De estreno en Copa América! @PauDybala_JR aumenta la ventaja tras un gran pase de @LoCelsoCR
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 6, 2019
Su primer gol en @CopaAmerica y el 2do con la @Argentina #ARG 2-0 #CHI pic.twitter.com/rVi3SZPM05