Argentina's third-place win in Copa America overshadowed by Messi's unjust red card

Leo Messi definitely is short of luck in his international career. His Argentina career began in 2005 with him being sent off with an absurd red card in a friendly against Hungary, falsely adjudged to have thrown an elbow at a defender. 14 years later, he is sent off in equally absurd circumstances. The first 34 minutes of the first half had been played when the incident that led to Messi's expulsion occurred. Chile’s captain, Gary Medel, shepherded out a ball near his own goal. Messi challenged him from behind and Medel reacted angrily, repeatedly charging Messi with his chest, then raising his hands. The Paraguayan referee, Mario Díaz de Vivar, then sent both Medel and Messi off with a red card each.

Sergio Agüero put Argentina 1-0 ahead after 12 minutes, with Messi providing the assist. Paulo Dybala made it two 10 minutes later with a nice finish after Giovani Lo Celso had put him through on goal with a delightful, defence-splitting pass. Arturo Vidal pulled one back for Chile from the penalty spot 14 minutes into the second half, with the game ending 2-1 in Argentina's favor.

After the game, Messi spoke to the press about the Medel incident and the fallout from Argentina's semifinal defeat to Brazil. "I feel lot of anger because I think I did not deserve that red card because I think we were playing a very good game," he said. "We were ahead but, as I said recently, unfortunately there is a lot of corruption, the referees... We leave with the feeling that they did not allow us to be in the final, that we were ready for better. Brazil's match and today's match were our two best performances but then when you are sincere, you say things and these things happen."

Messi also boycotted the Copa America medal ceremony to protest what he termed "corruption". He said, "I didn’t go to the podium because we shouldn’t be part of the corruption and lack of respect.

"We were meant for more but they didn’t let us be in the final. The corruption and the refs didn’t allow the people to enjoy and football is ruined.

"The corruption and the referees didn’t allow us to be in the final. You have to say the truth."

Brazil, the hosts, face Peru in the final today in Rio de Janeiro. When asked if he thought Brazil would win, he said, "Brazil champions? No doubt. Sadly, I think it’s set up for Brazil. 

"Hopefully the refs and VAR will have nothing to do with it and Peru will be able to compete because they have the team to do it.

"But I see it as difficult."