<p style="text-align: justify">Chile wrecked Lionel Messi's dream of a first international title with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Argentina to end their 99-year wait for a Copa America crown here Saturday.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez struck the winning spot-kick for Chile, as the hosts clinched a 4-1 shoot-out victory when the game ended goalless after extra time.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Sanchez chipped the decisive penalty down the middle past Sergio Romero to spark wild celebrations in front of a 45,000 capacity crowd at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Chile took control of the shoot-out when Gonzalo Higuain blazed his penalty over the bar before Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved Ever Banega's spot-kick.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina captain Messi, aiming to inspire the South American giants to a first international title in 22 years, could only look on distraught as Chile celebrated.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The four-time world footballer of the year had repeatedly spoken of his desperation to win a title with Argentina after winning everything at club level with Barcelona.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But the 28-year-old superstar was to suffer more disappointment, only 12 months after enduring another agonising extra-time defeat in last year's World Cup final against Germany in Brazil.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Chile's win was their first ever victory over Argentina in the Copa America.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify">'Dream come true'</h2> <p style="text-align: justify"></p> <p style="text-align: justify">"It is a dream come true. We have worked so hard for this," said Chile star Arturo Vidal.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The midfielder said Chile had been determined to win the Copa America after exiting the World Cup last year on penalties.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We talked about it in Brazil that we were going to win the Copa America," Sanchez said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"This is really a great generation, we deserve this."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Chile's Argentina-born coach Jorge Sampaoli said his side had deserved to win.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We had to play a great game against one of the world's best teams for the quality of players," Sampaoli said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We should have won in 90 minutes, but ended up getting justice."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina's players meanwhile were left pondering another heartbreaking loss.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Midfielder Javier Mascherano has now played in three losing Argentina teams in Copa America finals, and was also a member of the team beaten in the World Cup final.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Three Copa America finals, three defeats ... I can't explain the losing streak," a dejected Mascherano said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We just didn't seem to have that little bit of luck that you sometimes need to have to win in finals. Is it karma? I don't know."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina coach Gerardo Martino meanwhile lamented his side's failure to take chances.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"They were very clear chances that should have changed the outcome of the game," Martino said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Earlier, Chile had begun the final at a ferocious pace before Argentina gradually managed to gain a foothold in the game.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">While Chile pressed forward relentlessly and launched a series of forays into Argentinian territory, it was the tournament favourites who had the better chances in the first half.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina almost grabbed an opener in the 20th minute when Sergio Aguero met a Messi free-kick with a close range header that Bravo parried away.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">On the stroke of half-time Argentina probed again and Javier Pastore set up Ezequiel Lavezzi whose shot was blocked by Bravo.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The second half followed a similar pattern, with clear-cut chances thin on the ground as defences remained on top.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Sanchez went close for Chile on 82 minutes but hooked his volley just wide of the post.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Argentina almost snatched a dramatic victory in the dying seconds with a well-worked move that began after Messi skipped clear of the Chile defence and released Lavezzi on the left flank.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Lavezzi found Higuain -- on for Aguero -- at the far post but the Napoli striker couldn't finish from a tight angle and shot into the side netting as Chile escaped.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">In extra-time Sanchez almost punished a rare slip by Mascherano but shot over the bar.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>