Lionel Messi watched from the bench as Argentina opened their Copa America campaign with a 2-1 victory over Chile in Santa Clara in Group D. Messi is still struggling with a back injury suffered in the friendly clash with Honduras last month but was not needed as Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega scored early in the second half to put Argentina in control, before Jose Fuenzalida headed home a late consolation effort for Chile at Levis Stadium.Gerardo Martinos team started brightly and Nicolas Gaitan, drafted into the starting line-up in place of Messi, almost gave them a second-minute lead but he could not keep his header down and the ball drifted harmlessly over the crossbar. Argentina continued to cause the Chile defence problems and Di Maria twisted his way into the penalty box but pulled his shot wide of the target.Di Maria appealed for a penalty after another run in behind the Chile defence, but his claims were waved away and only a corner came from it. Argentinas Ever Banega (c) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring against Chile A flowing move saw Argentina create another great opportunity as they quickly turned defence into attack and Banegas ball into the box was cleared behind for a corner.Marcos Rojo was gifted acres of space from the resulting corner, but he failed to take advantage and sent a free header wide of the post. Argentina players celebrate Angel Di Marias goal Chile had their best opportunity of the first half after 29 minutes with great link-up play between Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal before the former saw his goalbound effort parried by Sergio Romero.Romero again denied Sanchez from a free-kick as Chile grew in confidence.Argentina took the lead six minutes into the second half when Banega picked up the ball in midfield and played in Di Maria and the Paris Saint-Germain winger took one touch before rifling the ball past Claudio Bravo. Argentinas Lionel Messi sat out the game in California due to injury Chile hit back and Romero had to be on his toes to deny Vidal but La Albiceleste then went down the other end and doubled their lead with a goal reminiscent of the first.Di Maria turned provider this time and his ball played in Banega down the left channel and he drilled a left-footed effort into the roof of the net via a slight deflection in the 59th minute.Sergio Aguero could have killed the game off with five minutes remaining as he was left unmarked in the box but headed wide of Bravos goal.Fuenzalida pulled one back three minutes into stoppage time, heading home a free-kick, but Argentina held on for victory.In the other game in Group D on Monday, Blas Perez scored twice as Panama beat Bolivia 2-1 in Orlando. Argentina meet Panama in their next fixture in Chicago on Friday, with Chile taking on Bolivia in Foxborough earlier in the day.Watch Copa America matches live on Premier Sports New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will play in Saturdays game against the Phoenix Suns after sitting out the teams previous outing due to soreness in his left knee. The Knicks have listed the 2012-13 NBA scoring champion as a starter for Saturdays contest on their Twitter feed. Anthony did not dress for Thursdays game at Chicago, a 103-97 Knicks loss, to rest his knee.ddddddddddddHe also missed a game at San Antonio on Dec. 10 with the injury before playing in the teams next three outings. The seven-time All-Star is averaging 23.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 24 games this season. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '