Chile defeated Argentina on penalties last night to end their 99-year wait for a Copa America crown and condemn Lionel Messi to a second straight heartbreak in a major international final.

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Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez struck the winning spot-kick for Chile, as the hosts clinched a 4-1 shoot-out victory when the game ended goalless after extra time.

Sanchez chipped the decisive penalty down the middle past Sergio Romero to spark wild celebrations in front of a 45,000 capacity crowd at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.

Chile took control of the shoot-out when Gonzalo Higuain blazed his penalty over the bar before Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved Ever Banega’s spot-kick.

Argentina captain Messi, aiming to inspire the South American giants to a first international title in 22 years, could only look on distraught as Chile celebrated. Chile’s win was their first ever victory over Argentina in the Copa America. 

“It is a dream come true. We have worked so hard for this,” said Chile star Arturo Vidal. The midfielder said Chile had been determined to win the Copa America after exiting the World Cup last year on penalties.

“We talked about it in Brazil that we were going to win the Copa America,” Sanchez said. “This is really a great generation we deserve this.”

But it was another crushing loss for Messi, almost a year after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Germany in Brazil. The game went to penalties after a hard-fought 120 minutes ended in stalemate, with neither side managing to unlock their opposite defence.

While Chile pressed forward relentlessly and launched a series of forays into Argentinian territory, it was the tournament favourites who had the better openings in the first half. But when chances came to Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi, Chile keeper Bravo proved their equal.

The second half followed a similar pattern with clear-cut chances thin on the ground as defences remained on top. Sanchez went close before Higuain just failed to convert a Messi cross. As it transpired it wasn’t to be his last key miss of the night.