Skip to content

Lionel Messi misses penalty as Argentina lose Copa America final to Chile

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lionel Messi missed Argentina's first penalty as they lost the final of the Copa America on a penalty shootout against Chile - Pictures courtesy of Premier Sports

Lionel Messi's last act in international football was to miss a penalty as Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America final to Chile.

The Barcelona forward blazed high over the bar from 12 yards with Argentina's first attempt, while team-mate Lucas Biglia also missed from the spot, as the holders retained the trophy with a 4-2 win in the shootout in New Jersey.

Messi has now lost three Copa America finals (2007, 2015 and 2016), as well as the 2014 World Cup final, with Argentina failing to score in all four matches.

As a result, the 29-year-old - who surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as his country's highest goalscorer last week - decided to call it quits after the game.

Messi quits internationals
Messi quits internationals

Lionel Messi has retired from international football in the wake of Argentina's defeat to Chile

"It's tough, it's not the time for analysis," he said. "In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me.

"That's the way I feel right now, it's a huge sadness once again and I missed the penalty that was so important.

"I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. But it didn't happen. I couldn't do it."

Also See:

Watch Messi's penalty miss in the video above!

Around Sky