Argentina skipper Lionel Messi scored from the spot as his side narrowly beat Chile 1-0 in a hard-fought encounter at Buenos Aires on Thursday.

Messi’s successful penalty came during the 16th minute after Chile defender Jose Fuenzalida brought down Angel Di Maria. With this win, the 2014 World Cup finalists moved to the third place in the 10-team qualifying competition with 22 points. The top four qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Argentina had lost two consecutive Copa America finals against Chile in 2015 and 2016, losing on penalties on both occasions.

Initially, it was the away side that started brightly in the game and the 60,000-strong crowd in the Argentianian capital were silenced by Jose Fuenzalida finding the net, only to be ruled offside. Chile also fielded star forward Alexis Sanchez, despite an injury. The Arsenal player rattled the bar in the second half from a free-kick, but had a quiet evening otherwise.

Messi, much like the last two Copa America finals, were kept quiet by the Chilean defence but could have doubled his tally in the second half from a cross from Marcos Rojo on the left. Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi also came close from a Messi free-kick just before half-time but slammed his effort over the bar.