Chile vs Argentina in football is not a huge lineup, but in recent history, this game has become a battle in Lionel Messi’s era with Argentina, it was Chile who prevented him from winning the title early in the last decade.
In 2015 and 16, Chile beat Argentina and made Messi wait for six more years to win this title. This is why when so now Chile face Argentina, it is not just a battle but remembering those old days for Leo Messi fans. Losing the 2016 final has made Messi retire from national duty for some time. This has made this battle even more intense.
Hence, the Chile National Football Team vs Argentina National Football Team lineups have now and historically had great significance in sports.
Some Notable Games
It was 2015, when host Chile beat Argentina 4-1 in penalties after a 0-0 draw until the extra time. This was the final where Messi lost the game and made his dream of winning something for Argentina fall.
In 2014, Germany beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final. And hence, losing back-to-back two finals made his confidence go down. And it was also the time when he did start to see Cristiano Ronaldo winning majors for his nation and Real Madrid.
But again Copa America final came and that too against Chile. This time also both teams filed to score a goal in normal and extra time. And this made the again game go the penalties. And again Chile won the title and this time by 4-2 in penalties. And what made this defeat worse is that Cristiano Ronaldo won the Euros with Portugal in 2016. And this made Messi even down. It was to the level he did make his retirement from Argentina. Then he did come back and won it all with his beloved nation. However, the impact Chile made was hard for Messi to look for back then. These are the two most crucial games in history where the battle between these two South American nations became great.
Chile National Football Team Vs Argentina National Football Team Lineups: All-time best XI of both teams
Chile National Football Team All-Time XI: Formation – 4-3-3
Goalkeeper | Claudio Bravo |
Centre Back | Alberto Quintano |
Centre Back | Elias Figueroa |
Right Back | Luis Eyzaguirre |
Left Back | Sergio Navarro |
Central Midfielder | Arturo Vidal |
Central Midfielder | Ruben Marcos |
Attacking Midfielder | Leonel Sanchez |
Forward/Winger | Alexis Sanchez |
Forward/Winger | Marcelo Salas |
Striker | Ivan Zamorano |
- The team has a mix of recently seen stars some of the greats who helped Chile be stable in the world of football.
For Argentina:- Best XI Formation (4-1-2-3)
Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martínez |
Centre Back | Lisandro Martínez |
Centre Back | Cafu |
Right Back | Javier Zanetti |
Left Back | Roberto Carlos |
Defensive Midfielder | Javier Mascherano |
Attacking Midfielder | Omar Sivori |
Attacking Midfielder | Angel Di Maria |
Forward/Winger | Lionel Messi |
Forward/Winger | Diego Maradona |
Striker | Gabriel Batistuta |
Historical wins for both sides
Argentina has won more major titles in football than Chile. Argentina is a three-time World Cup winner. They are 16-time South American champions and won the World Cup in 1978, 86 and 2022. This is what makes them special.
For Chile, they have just two Copa America titles they won in 2015 and 16. But both wins came versus Argentina and that was Messi’s Argentina. So in terms of major wins, it is hard to look past Argentina. But Chile is making sure that one can’t take them lightly anymore.
Chile: Three Great Players
Claudio Bravo, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez are three players that helped Chile to win two Copa America titles. They have won a lot at the club level in Europe too. However, the days of these star players are over at the highest levels. But these are great players who have helped Chile to become a great nation in football. And now the host of other good players are coming from Chile and all contribution behind this goes to these three players as they have changed things for great levels for them.
The future of both sides
Lionel Messi and days would be over soon for Argentina. But even after his departure, they have good players who can take things forward well and win at major levels.
However, Chile has not managed to replace the players like Claudio Bravo, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez. And hence, they have higher chances of not winning major titles as much as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
Lautaro Martínez, Julian Alvarez and Lisandro Martinez are three players whom the team would move around during MESSI’s era. With other good players, they are looking solid from many angles. However, for Chile, Eduardo Vargas is still playing as a sticker and his days at the highest levels are long gone.
It shows that they are seeing it hard to make an impact on the next generation. But the basic setup is really good and it has massive players too that can turn the tables.
End of Messi Era
Chile did stop Messi win Copa America twice with Argentina in 2015 and 16. However, he has won two Copa America titles and a World Cup in 2022. So he is leaving the space in somewhat better levels to Cristiano Ronaldo. However, for him, any win against Chile becomes huge because he lost when he wanted to win things for Argentina for most. So for Argentina, the match against Chile has become that much more crucial. So when these sites lock horns, it give some of the best games possible.
Final Take
Chile National Football Team Vs Argentina National Football Team Lineups have had been great. The 2015 and 2016 lineups of Chile were the best. It made them see the golden times.
So yes, the worth of Argentina and Chile has become huge for football. Because the growth of South America makes football even better. This is how and why Chile and Argentina are two of the teams that the world likes to see the games all over the world. Because the quality they make is indeed the best of all time.
FAQs
Alexis Sánchez is the best football player in the history of Chile as per several experts.
Chile has won two Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016.
In 2015 and 16, Chile beat Argentina twice on penalties to win two Copa America titles.
Yes, after losing the 2016 Copa America final, Messi decided to retire from national duty. But he did come back sooner. ‘
Leo Messi won the first World Cup in 2022 against France in Qatar.