Copa America, Lautaro and Vidal play in 1 - 1 draw

Two Nerazzurri players were involved in an intense Copa America opener at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro on Monday evening. Indeed Lautaro Martinez’s Argentina were up against Arturo Vidal’s Chile, with both men taking to the pitch as starters.

1-1 was the final result: after Messi’s brilliant free kick in the first half, Vidal took centre stage in the build-up to Chile’s equaliser. The Nerazzurri midfielder was fouled by Tagliafico in the box in the 55th minute and then stepped up to take the resulting penalty. Although his spot-kick was saved by Martinez, who pushed the ball onto the crossbar, Edu Vargas converted the rebound to make it 1-1.

Lautaro Martinez played 80 minutes, while Vidal stayed on for 85. Alexis Sanchez wasn’t available for the clash. Prior to kick-off, there was a touching tribute to Diego Armando Maradona.