The veteran Messi, who turns 34 later this month, might have one of his final chances of winning a title with the national team, saying before the tournament that it was "the biggest dream" of his decorated career, despite all the individual success and club titles with Barcelona.

Argentina appeared to be ready to start giving Messi what he craves at an empty Estadio Nilton Santos in Rio - with the game marked by a tribute to Argentine football great Diego Maradona, who died in November at age 60.

The Albiceleste created but spurned three clear opportunities in as many minutes.

Messi then opened the scoring in the 33rd with a brilliant curling, dipping strike that Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo couldn't stop despite getting a touch on the ball with his left hand.

Chile stepped up the pressure in the second half and earned a penalty after video review.

Arturo Vidal's shot from the spot was saved but Vargas nodded the rebound into the empty goal to level the scoring in the 57th.

Messi continued to create opportunities until the end of the match but his teammates could not find the finishing touch.

"This match got complicated to us," an exhausted Messi said after the match.

"We needed to be calm, have the control of the possession and play more quickly.

"The penalty changed the match, too."

Paraguay went behind to an early penalty but fought back against 10 men in the second half to beat Bolivia 3-1 in Monday's other game.

Bolivia took the lead through Erwin Saavedra in the 10th minute from the penalty spot but the game changed in the seconds before halftime when Bolivia's 19-year-old Jaume Cuellar was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

Kaku and a Angel Romero double after the break gave Paraguay the points and top spot in Group A.

Argentina's next match is against Uruguay while Chile will battle Bolivia, with both games on Friday.

Paraguay return to action next Monday against Argentina.

Copa America was moved at late notice to Brazil after Colombia and Argentina were dropped as co-hosts.

Many health experts criticised the move to a country where the COVID-19 death toll is nearing 490,000 - with Brazil's health ministry on Monday documenting 41 cases of coronavirus related to the Copa America, including 31 players or national team staffers and 10 workers at the event.

Australian Associated Press