Argentina win opening Copa America group game without Messi
Argentina began their 2016 Copa America campaign with a 2-1 win over Chile on Monday without the influential Lionel Messi.
Angel Di Maria scored after 51 minutes and assisted Ever Banega to score the Albiceleste's second.
The Roja pulled one back in the third minute of added time at the end of the second half through Jose Fuenzalida, but it wasn't enough as Tata Martino's team avenged the 2015 Copa America final defeat to Chile.
After Panama beat Bolivia 2-1 earlier in the day, Argentina are now joint leaders of Group D level on three points.
Messi's absence meant that Nicolas Gaitan came into the starting line-up, but it didn't seem to matter as Argentina dominated throughout.
Gaitan himself hit the bar in the first minute, then, with 20 minutes gone, set up Higuain to force a corner that was eventually headed just wide by Marcos Rojo.
Chile had more possession but lacked a substantial attacking threat.
Javier Mascherano, Augusto Fernandez and Banega pushed high up the pitch to regain possession and stifle the opposition.
Arturo Vidal wasn't the usual driving force in midfield and Alexis Sanchez's delivery was poor for the majority of the game.
The Arsenal forward did, however, have the best opportunity to score the game's opening goal as Sergio Romero made a smart save after 29 minutes.
That miss would soon be punished as just six minutes into the second-half, the Albiceleste took the lead.
A mistake from Charles Aranguiz allowed Banega to slot in Di Maria who placed the ball past the helpless Claudio Bravo.
Eight minutes later and the Argentina pair were at it again.
Di Maria was the provider this time as the Paris Saint-Germain forward played Banega through on the left and his deflected shot made it's way into the net.
Fuenzalida's header, although a consolation, gave Chile some positivity to take away from the Levi's Stadium on what was a disappointing night for them overall.
Despite the pleas of the Argentina fans to see Messi, he had to watch on from the sidelines and now the game against Panama on June 10 will most likely be his first appearance at the tournament.
