Copa América Centenario Final


The Copa América Centenario Final was an association football match that took place on 26 June 2016 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States to determine the winner of the Copa América Centenario.
The match was contested by Argentina and Chile, making it a rematch of the 2015 final. Chile ultimately won on penalty kicks 4–2 after a 0–0 draw. Forward Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after the defeat, his third consecutive final defeat with Argentina, although he later reversed this decision.

Background

This edition was the first hosted by the United States. The match marks the sixth time Argentina reached the final. They have also been in the top two in previous 22 editions of the tournament. Their last championship was won in 1993. Meanwhile, it was Chile's fourth final, also being in the top two in 2 more editions. They were the defending champions, winning their first international title in last year's edition as the host nation.

Route to the final

Closing ceremony

and Becky G performed the official song of the tournament, "Superstar", immediately following the match and trophy ceremony.

Match

As part of FIFA's approval of rule changes based on IFAB's new regulations, a fourth substitute was allowed on extra time. However, neither team used the fourth substitution after the match went into extra time.

Details




Match rules
  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.

    Statistics

Post-match

The match had an attendance of 82,026, the largest in the history of New Jersey.
Argentina lost their third consecutive final, while Chile won their second consecutive final and defended the Copa América after their win in 2015.
Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after the match, saying "I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion." Argentine newspaper La Nación speculated that other players, including Sergio Agüero, Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuaín were set to retire; ESPN Deportes reported that Ángel Di María, Lucas Biglia, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Éver Banega could potentially retire as well. On 12 August 2016, Messi reverted his decision and announced his comeback to international football, saying "There were too many things in my head during the day of the last final and I seriously thought about letting it go, but I love my country and this jersey so much."