Lionel Messi doesn’t have great memories when it comes to facing Claudio Bravo from 12 yards but he laid the demons to rest last night.
The Argentinian maestro, who missed a penalty against Bravo in last year’s Copa America final shootout, scored from the penalty spot as the Albiceleste secured an important victory over Chile in their World Cup qualifying encounter.
It was the perfect way for Messi to forget about last year’s horror show in New Jersey. Reduced to tears after he skied a penalty en route to Argentina’s 4-2 shootout defeat - his fourth loss in an international tournament - the Barcelona star’s winner left Edgardo Bauza’s side third in South American qualifying and with a great chance of reaching next year’s tournament in Russia.
Bauza tried to insist Argentina aren’t reliant on Messi but not many people will buy that opinion.
“I do not think the team is Messi-dependent, the Argentina coach told reports, per the Daily Mail. “I think he played a good game. Time to work, we will improve.”
While Messi was left delighted by the man, one man who felt the complete opposite was Alexis Sanchez.
The Chile star launched into a furious outburst after wasting an opportunity, screaming aloud and kicking the turf.
Arsenal fans have grown accustomed to Sanchez losing his rag and it’s just another sign of his intense desire to win that he was at it again last night.
Video: Furious Sanchez
So things aren’t going entirely right for Sanchez right now. His Arsenal future is unclear and Chile, sixth in South American qualifying, have some work to do if they are to play in Russia.
And the winger might now be in Claudio Bravo’s bad books, according to a report from Chile.
Sanchez ignored his captain
Newspaper La Tercera claim that Bravo ordered Sanchez to let Charles Aranguiz a dangerous free-kick in the 78th minute, even running to the halfway line to get Gary Medel to pass on his message.
Sanchez ignored Bravo’s request and took the free-kick himself, only to see the ball fly harmlessly over Sergio Romero’s goal.
It led to Bravo, Chile’s captain, shouting a bunch of expletives into the sky as Sanchez wasted a good opportunity to equalise.
Watch Sanchez's free-kick below (5:00)
He’s a talented player, Sanchez, but he can't do everything himself.