Argentina vs. Chile, 2016 Copa America final: Live coverage and score updates

Other reports and rumors add Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuaín to that list as well, making the total of major players leaving the Argentina national team eight including Messi. Six of those players -- Messi, Mascherano, Higuaín, Di María, Banega and Biglia -- started the Copa América final, and Agüero saw significant minutes off the bench. Lavezzi likely would have played a role as well, but he broke his arm playing against the United States in the Copa semifinal.

Suffice to say, it would be a huge blow for Argentina’s competitive chances in the near future if all eight of these players really do quit the team -- though whether or not they really do is up for debate. There is a chance, a very good one in fact, of this being a coordinated effort by major stars to try to wake up the AFA and try to get them moving in the right direction again.

Sanchez scored twice for Chile in their 4-2 win over Panama in the group stage, and again in their overwhelming 7-0 win against Mexico in the quarterfinal. While teammate Edu Vargas scored more goals -- he had four just in that Mexico game and Chile’s other two goals against Panama -- the impact Sanchez had on Chile’s attack was incredibly profound, helping create danger out of nothing repeatedly and at times pulling his team forward all on his own.

Congratulations to Chile for winning the Copa America, and congratulations to Sanchez for being named the best player of the tournament. It was a fantastic run for both player and country, and now they get to enjoy their successes.

Absolutely outrageous.

Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz earned his first yellow card for hacking down Messi, but his second was controversial. He was booked for this foul, which mostly featured him standing still and Messi running into him. Some referees wouldn’t even call him for a common foul, or would have called it on Messi.

Messi’s dive isn’t necessarily a terrible call, but Argentina fans won’t be thrilled with what led up to it. At first, Lopes didn’t appear to be reaching for his pocket, but the Chile players rushed him and got in his face. After taking a tongue-lashing, he showed Messi the yellow.