6 Jul 2015

Chile win Copa America

9:39 am on 6 July 2015

Chile have won the Copa America for the first time in the tournament's 99-year history, beating Argentina 4-1 on penalties.

Alexiz Sanchez at the World Cup, 2014.

Alexiz Sanchez at the World Cup, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Alexis Sanchez netted the clinching goal from the spot after Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega had missed for Argentina.

The nail-biting finish came after a tense 0-0 draw in which neither side dominated and clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Chile had beaten Argentina just once in 38 competitive matches before the final and celebrated the triumph in front of an ecstatic home crowd at the National Stadium.

"This is something so nice for all the Chilean people," midfielder Arturo Vidal told reporters.

"We Chileans needed a triumph, something like this Cup, today we took an incredible step, we're (South) America's best."

Sanchez dinked his penalty into the middle of the goal with Chile's fourth kick to guarantee the shootout win.

Lionel Messi scored with Argentina's first penalty then watched Higuain shoot his over and Banega have his saved by Chile captain Claudio Bravo.