Javier Mascherano denies rift with Ever Banega after penalty miss in Copa America final
Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has dismissed allegations of a brawl with teammate Ever Banega after his side lost to Chile in the 2015 Copa America final played at Estadio Nacional, Santiago. Reports have emerged that Mascherano verbally attacked Banega in the dressing room after he missed a penalty in the shootout and that the pair exchanged blows after the conclusion of the match.
Chile and Argentina had played out a goalless draw as the match went into extra time. With both sides unable to break the deadlock, a penalty shootout soon followed to decide the winner.
While Argentina captain Lionel Messi opened his team’s scoring from the spot, two of his teammates – Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega – missed the subsequent penalties as Chile striker Alexis Sanchez wrapped up his team’s first ever Copa America win in style with a cheeky panenka.
The Barcelona star was, however, quick to dismiss the reports and said that he would never do such a thing, according to Ole.
"I'd never blame someone who had the balls to shoot a penalty kick in a final in front of 70,000 people. I heard I had fought with Ever. I'm not like that, it's ridiculous.
“They can fault my game, but not that, I'm not like that”.
Mascherano in deep sorrow after yet another final loss
Mascherano, who has now lost three finals on the international stage along with Messi, told the reporters after the match, “Losing is torture, it’s a huge sadness. Everyone knows what I feel when I put this shirt on,” as quoted by The Guardian.
He, however, believes that Argentina gave a good match to Chile in the title-deciding encounter but felt his team were deprived of luck in passing the final hurdle.
“We had a good Copa América, we played a final as visitors and were up to it. Again we lacked that quota of luck to win, I really can’t find an explanation,” the 31-year-old said.
“Chile are a very good team but I think we neutralised them, we played the match we wanted to. We had moves to win it and unfortunately it wasn’t to be,” the former Liverpool star added.
This is Argentina’s second consecutive loss in a major final after losing to Germany in the final of the 2014 World Cup. La Albiceleste are still seeking a major international trophy since last winning the Copa America in 1993.