June 3, 2021 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Chile's Erick Pulgar POOL via [REUTERS]Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty for hosts Argentina before Chile's Alexis Sanchez equalised as their World Cup qualifier ended 1-1 on Thursday. Messi converted from the spot midway through the first half after Guillermo Maripan brought down Lautaro Martinez in the box. Chile keeper Claudio Bravo made a world class save to keep the scores level just before halftime, tipping a Messi free kick round the post. Messi almost snatched all three points in the last five minutes but his shots could not find a way past Bravo. "The positive aspect is that this team always stands up to be counted, tries to attack," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

Source: Standard Digital June 04, 2021 06:00 UTC