Lionel Messi scored one of his trademark free-kicks, repeatedly dribbled through the Chilean defense, and created opportunities regularly for his Argentina teammates.

Despite Messi’s intense performance, Argentina was held 1-1 by Chile in its Copa America opener. The game at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro was also marked by a tribute to Argentine football great Diego Maradona, who died in November at age 60.

Chile was missing the injured Alexis Sánchez but rallied in the second half and won a penalty 12 minutes into the second half, awarded by VAR. Arturo Vidal’s spot-kick was tipped onto the crossbar by Emiliano Martínez but Eduardo Vargas reacted quickest to head home the rebound.

Messi, 34, might have one of his final chances of winning a title with Argentina at the Copa America.
He said ahead of the opening game that winning with his national team is ‘the biggest dream’ of his decorated career, despite all the individual success and club titles with Barcelona.

Messi continued to create opportunities until the end of the match, but his teammates showed the same difficulty to deliver goals as they did in the 2-2 draw at Colombia in a World Cup qualifier in Barranquilla last week.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s Ministry of Health told on Monday that 31 players and delegation members had tested positive for Covid-19 by Sunday, the first day of the 10-nation tournament.