By Udo Toby Prince
Chile on Saturday defeated Argentina 4-1 on penalties to be crowned South American champions for the first time in their history, breaking a 99 year old jinx.
Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, suffered the agony of defeat on the field and attack on his family by some fans.
His parents and two of his brothers had to be moved to safety after Chile fans attacked them during the Copa America final.
Minutes before half-time at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional, Messi’s oldest brother Rodrigo was hit by an object hurled by a fan and the whole family ended up watching from a television cabin in the stadium after security intervened.
Insults were also hurled at the relatives of the Argentina No 10, who was unable to inspire his side to victory against hosts Chile.
Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez, converted the deciding spot kick to hand the tournament host their first title after 120 minutes of football action without a goal.
Gonzalo Higuaín fired over while Ever Banega’s penalty was saved by Chile shot-stopper, Claudio Bravo to climax a frustrating night for the Argentina team coached by Gerardo Tata Martinez.
Uruguay remain the tournament’s most successful side with 15 titles followed by Argentina with 14.
The competition further highlighted Messi’s international nightmare with the Albacete.
The Barcelona superstar once again failed to transform his club success to the national side after two successive final loses, the earlier was at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they fell to Germany in the final.
Copa America, an initiative of Héctor Rómez, a Uruguayan teacher, was launched in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1916.
The inaugural edition featured Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.
Saturday was Chile’s first win.
Meanwhile, the drought goes on for Argentina 22 years since they last won the trophy.
