Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria started on the bench for Argentina as Nicolas Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez were given the nod alongside Lionel Messi.
Gonzalez looked to repay the faith almost immediately after being picked out by Giovani Lo Celso on 18 minutes but he fired straight at Claudio Bravo.
Messi had to show his strike partner how it was done as the Argentine skipper broke the deadlock with a wonderful free-kick that sailed into the top corner on 33 minutes.
While La Albiceleste were doing all the attacking, Chile struggled to get their game going in the first half and barely threatened Emiliano Martinez between the Argentine goal.
Chile, however, were given a lifeline on 57 minutes. They were awarded a penalty after Eduardo Vargas was brought down by Nicolas Tagliafico.
Arturo Vidal stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Martinez but Vargas was on hand to nod home the rebound to level matters.
With time running out, Argentina nearly restored their lead on 80 minutes when Messi picked out an un-marked Gozalez who was unable to keep his header on target.
Unfortunately, that proved to be the final clear-cut opening of the encounter as the spoils were shared at the Estádio Nilton Santos.