Argentina back on track; Vidal arrest rocks Chile

AFP, SANTIAGO: Sergio Aguero reignited Argentina’s Copa America campaign with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over historic rivals Uruguay, as the tournament was rocked by the arrest of Chile star Arturo Vidal for drunk driving after a car crash.
Aguero bagged his second goal of the tournament in the 56th minute of a niggly battle between the 1930 World Cup finalists in their 199th meeting.
The result leaves Argentina firmly on course to win Group B, with only one game against tournament minnows Jamaica, beaten 1-0 by Paraguay in Tuesday’s early game, remaining.
But the action on the pitch was overshadowed late Tuesday by the revelations concerning Chile midfielder Vidal.
Vidal, who became the top scorer for the tournament on Monday with three goals after bagging a brace in the hosts 3-3 draw with Mexico, was detained by police after testing positive for alcohol following a late night crash.
Images on Twitter said to be Vidal’s vehicle showed a red Ferrari with the driver’s side reduced to a mangled wreck.
Immediate details about the crash were scarce, but officials said Vidal’s car had collided with another vehicle.
The player posted a short video message on YouTube.
It was not immediately clear how Vidal’s arrest would affect his participation in the tournament.
Vidal is no stranger to controversy. He was hit with a record fine by his club side, Italian giants Juventus, after a drunken night out last year.
He was also one of several Chilean players temporarily kicked out of the national team squad in 2011 after arriving late for training following an unauthorized night out.
Chile face Bolivia in their final Group A on Friday, where they will be attempting to make certain of their place in the last eight.
Earlier Tuesday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi praised his team-mates for keeping their cool in a hardfought win over Uruguay.
A tense first half had seen Argentina dominate possession and territory but fail to break down a resolute Uruguayan defence.
The two best chances of the opening period both fell to Argentina, with Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria testing Fernando Muslera in the ninth minute with an angled shot that the Uruguayan goalkeeper needed two attempts to gather.
Muslera was pressed into action again midway through the half, producing a superb one-handed save to deny Aguero after the striker met Messi’s sublime cross with a downward header.
Tensions began to rise thereafter, with Argentina coach Gerardo Martino shown a red card by Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci in the 38th minute.
On the stroke of half-time tempers flared once more with Argentina enforcer Javier Mascherano booked for sliding through Uruguay playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro, who had earlier seen yellow for a wild challenge on Zabaleta.

Argentina back on track; Vidal arrest rocks Chile

AFP, SANTIAGO: Sergio Aguero reignited Argentinas Copa America campaign with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over historic rivals Uruguay, as the tournament was rocked by the arrest of Chile star Arturo Vidal for drunk driving after a car crash. Aguero bagged his second goal of the tournament in the 56th minute of a niggly battle between the 1930 World Cup finalists in their 199th meeting. The result leaves Argentina firmly on course to win Group B, with only one game against tournament minnows Jamaica, beaten 1-0 by Paraguay in Tuesdays early game, remaining. But the action on the pitch was overshadowed late Tuesday by the revelations concerning Chile midfielder Vidal. Vidal, who became the top scorer for the tournament on Monday with three goals after bagging a brace in the hosts 3-3 draw with Mexico, was detained by police after testing positive for alcohol following a late night crash. Images on Twitter said to be Vidals vehicle showed a red Ferrari with the drivers side reduced to a mangled wreck. Immediate details about the crash were scarce, but officials said Vidals car had collided with another vehicle. The player posted a short video message on YouTube. It was not immediately clear how Vidals arrest would affect his participation in the tournament. Vidal is no stranger to controversy. He was hit with a record fine by his club side, Italian giants Juventus, after a drunken night out last year. He was also one of several Chilean players temporarily kicked out of the national team squad in 2011 after arriving late for training following an unauthorized night out. Chile face Bolivia in their final Group A on Friday, where they will be attempting to make certain of their place in the last eight. Earlier Tuesday, Argentina captain Lionel Messi praised his team-mates for keeping their cool in a hardfought win over Uruguay. A tense first half had seen Argentina dominate possession and territory but fail to break down a resolute Uruguayan defence. The two best chances of the opening period both fell to Argentina, with Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria testing Fernando Muslera in the ninth minute with an angled shot that the Uruguayan goalkeeper needed two attempts to gather. Muslera was pressed into action again midway through the half, producing a superb one-handed save to deny Aguero after the striker met Messis sublime cross with a downward header. Tensions began to rise thereafter, with Argentina coach Gerardo Martino shown a red card by Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci in the 38th minute. On the stroke of half-time tempers flared once more with Argentina enforcer Javier Mascherano booked for sliding through Uruguay playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro, who had earlier seen yellow for a wild challenge on Zabaleta.