Lionel Messi did not recover from his injury in time, but an emboldened Argentina managed to get some measure of revenge for their loss in the final of the Copa America last year against Chile, defeating the same opponents 2-1 in an enthralling game on Monday at the Copa America Centenario in California.

It was another Argentinian special talent Angel Di Maria who impressed, opening the scoring with a lovely two-touch finish in the 51st minute. Inter's Éver Banega got Argentina's second from a position very similar to Di Maria's, his shot going in off a deflection. But Banega thoroughly deserved the goal – he had been a potent force throughout the match.

Argentina's celebrations were somewhat dampened by a foolish error from goal-keeper Sergio Romero, right at the end of the match. The keeper came off his line leaving the goal unguarded for José Pedro Fuenzalida to head in and allow Chile a consolation goal.

Earlier, unfancied Panama, playing their first ever Copa America match, defeated Bolivia 2-1 through a late goal in a chaotic, rain-soaked match with cards flying everywhere. Blas Perez's 11th minute flying strike from a pin-perfect cross from the left wing was cancelled out by Juan Arce's fierce strike off a loose ball in the 54th minute.

In a second half dominated by rain, it seemed like it would finish all square. But it was Perez again who showed perfect timing to get a shot away from a pass in the 87th minute and give Panama a historic victory.

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Sunday night saw Venezuela edge Jamaica 1-0 in the two teams' relatively low-profile opener. In a rather physical game where Jamaica coach Winfried Schaefer was sent off, forward Josef Martinez got behind the Jamaica defence and slipped the ball through the Jamaican goalkeeper's legs.

The other game on Sunday saw the much anticipated clash between Mexico and Uruguay living up to its billing. It started off on a note of controversy, with the wrong national anthem being played for Uruguay.

Things became even more disastrous for them after Alvaro Pereira headed into his own goal just four minutes into the match.

However, Uruguay – playing without Luis Suarez – did manage to find an equaliser through an excellent Diego Godin free-kick later in the 74th minute. But it was Mexico's veteran captain Rafael Marquez who was the hero of the night, putting Mexico in front again with a close-range 84th minute effort. To rub it in, Hector Herrera finished it off with a sparkling header to give Mexico a 3-1 win and an important three points.

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