Santiago (AP):

THE Copa America ended with Chile celebrating a long-awaited triumph and Argentina left wondering how much longer its title drought will last.

It was a disappointing finish for Lionel Messi and his teammates, who haven’t won anything in 22 years, and a historic victory for an entire nation that desperately needed some reason to rejoice after getting way too used to a long history of tragedies at home.

After enduring a series of droughts in the south, floods in the norths, an earthquake and two volcanic eruptions this year, the country of 17 million people was celebrating a perfect ending to an emotional tournament.

Chile defeated Argentina 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out in the final of the South American tournament on Saturday, finally winning a major title after decades of disappointments.

“We have always been hit by tragedies,” defender Jorge Rojas said. “We deserved to enjoy this happiness.”

RECENT NATURAL DISASTERS

The entire nation was behind ‘La Roja’ from the start, and the victory at the Estadio Nacional – with President Michelle Bachelet cheering from the stands – helped people take their minds away from recent natural disasters.

These included the devastating 2010 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 500 people and destroyed nearly 220,000 houses in the country tucked by the Pacific Ocean.

Thousands of fans went on the streets of Santiago to celebrate the triumph.

“This country deserved this because of everything that it has been through,” Chile’s Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli said.

Chile had lost four Copa America finals, including at home in 1955. The nation reached the round of 16 of last year’s World Cup, when it was eliminated on penalties by host Brazil.

Argentina were runner-up to Germany in the final in Brazil, and the Copa America gave Messi and his talented teammates another chance to end the team’s title drought.

Messi again couldn’t come up with the type of performance he is used to displaying at Barcelona, and his winless streak with the national team continues.