Brazil (BRA) and Argentina (ARG) will add another chapter in their classic rivalry when both teams meet in the final of Copa America 2021 at the iconic Maracana Stadium. Lionel Messi-led Argentina, who won the tournament 14 times, will be keen to end a 28-year-old wait for a title. They finished runners-up in 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2016 editions. Nine-time winners Brazil, meanwhile, have won all their last five Copa America finals.
Previous Meeting
Messi’s first-half goal made the difference in an international friendly held in Saudi Arabia in 2019. Brazil could have gone ahead early in the match after Gabriel Jesus won a penalty. However, the Manchester City forward failed to convert from 12 yards. Three minutes later, the referee awarded Argentina a spot-kick. Alisson saved the penalty, but Messi fired home the rebound.
Team News
Jesus, who scored a goal and provided an assist in Copa America 2019 final, will miss the clash against Argentina after CONMEBOL confirmed a two-match ban for his reckless tackle on Eugenio Mena in the quarter-final. Brazil is likely to be unchanged from the 1-0 win over Peru. The back four, led by 36-year-old Thiago Silva, has kept three clean sheets and conceded just two goals. Casemiro will play the anchor role in midfield alongside Fred and Lucas Paqueta. The onus will be on Neymar to produce yet another winning performance. He will link up with Richarlison and Everton Soares upfront.
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina head coach, is expected to make a few changes for the final. Full-backs Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel could replace Nicolas Tagliafico and Nahuel Molina in the playing eleven. In midfield, PSG’s Leandro Paredes may get the nod ahead of Guido Rodriguez or Giovani Lo Celso. Meanwhile, Angel Di Maria is unlikely to start despite making an impact against Ecuador and Colombia after coming off the bench. Argentina fans will be hoping that the Messi-Lautaro Martinez duo, who combined scored seven goals, can continue their fine form and bring home the 47th edition of Copa America.
Top Five Fantasy Points scorers (Semi-finals)
BRA: L Paqueta (16 pts), T Silva (10.5 pts), D Luiz da Silva (9 pts), Marquinhos (9 pts), Neymar (9 pts)
ARG: L J Martinez (11 pts), L Messi (8 pts), E Martinez (4.5 pts), N Tagliafico (4.5 pts), R De Paul (3.5 pts)
Copa America 2020 Stats
Top Goalscorer: BRA – L Paqueta, Neymar (2 goals); ARG – L Messi (4 goals)
Most Assists: BRA – Neymar (3 assists); ARG – L Messi (5 assists)
Playing 11
BRA (possible): E Moraes; D Luiz da Silva, T Silva, Marquinhos, R Lodi; Casemiro, Fred, L Paqueta; E Soares, Richarlison De Andrade, Neymar
ARG (possible): E Martinez; G Montiel, G Pezzella, N Otamendi, M Acuna; G Rodriguez, R De Paul, L Paredes; L Messi, L J Martinez, N Gonzalez
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Parameswaran Sankaranarayanan
Parameswaran Sankaranarayan is a sports enthusiast who has worked in print, website, and other digital platforms. He was part of the editorial team of first-ever Indian football-based website - IndianFootball.com (now defunct) - and passionately follows the latest happenings in world football. During his time as a journalist, he had the opportunity to interact with some of the iconic personalities in Indian sports and witness some memorable moments in Indian football.
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