Will Argentina bring home their 16th Copa America title or will Colombia continue their dominating form and lift the trophy for only the second time.
Lionel Messi of Argentina during the CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024 match between Canada and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 10, 2024 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
New Delhi: It is the eve of the CONMEBOL Copa América USA 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia in Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (Sunday, July 14th). Defending champions Argentina have played like a champion side, winning every game in the tournament, and will face an equally in-form team. Argentina are making their record 30th Copa America final appearance, whilst Colombia are in their third finals.
After progressing from the quarter-finals, decided by spot-kicking, which trumped Ecuador out of the tournament, Argentina produced a convincing 2-0 win against Copa America debutants Canada in the semi-finals. It extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches in all competitions. Julian Alvarez’s 22nd-minute opening goal was doubled in the second half with Argentine icon Lionel Messi’s strike. Messi’s goal also overtook Iran’s Ali Daei and the 37-year-old is now the second-highest goalscorer in international football history with 109 goals.
Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni has remarked that Argentina’s road to the Copa final hasn’t been as easy as many would have thought before the tournament. Players have been impressive with their performance for making their third consecutive major tournament final appearance.
Argentina are currently ranked number one in the world by FIFA. They have had great success on US soil and are yet to lose a major tournament fixture in regulation time in America since being beaten by Romania in the 1994 World Cup.
They are one win from their 16th Copa America title. Currently, they are equalled in 15 titles with Uruguay. This will also be Angel Di Maria’s 145th and the last match in national colours before he retires. Mess will continue to play beyond the summer tournament.
Colombia have been in form since losing 1-0 to Argentina in World Cup qualifying in February 2022. They have recorded their longest winning streak without defeat. Their Thursday semi-final victory against Uruguay extended their unbeaten sequence to 28 matches across all tournaments.
Jefferson Lerma’s header in the 39th minute was the only goal in the match. Later, Daniel Munoz was sent off in first-half stoppage time, which meant they played their entire second half as a 10-man squad. They could withstand Uruguay’s attack to end the game 1-0.
Colombia are ranked 12th by FIFA and have reached the final four in three of the last four Copa America tournaments. Nestor Lorenzo has been undefeated as Colombia’s manager since joining the team in July 2022. He has been an architect of the team’s brilliant performance, helping the side play to its strengths and with unity.
Team News
Argentina have no fitness-related issues or suspension concerns, which could mean that Scaloni will likely keep an unchanged starting lineup for the final. This would see a back four consisting of Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez and Nicolas Tagliafico.
Both Giovani Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios will be eager to start in centre-midfield. However, it is most likely that Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul will keep their places in the starting XI, with Di Maria featuring on the right flank for the last time.
Lionel Messi missed the majority of the tournament due to a leg injury but played the full 90 minutes against Canada and will start in attack alongside Julian Alvarez. This means that Golden-boot contender Lautaro Martinez, who has scored four goals this tournament, is set to begin as a substitute once again.
In the Colombian camp, Daniel Munoz will have to sit out due to suspension after being dismissed in the semi-finals. This means Santiago Arias will likely start right-back alongside Davinson Sanchez, Carlos Cuesta and Johan Mojica to feature in a four-man defence.
Colombia skipper James Rodriguez, who has registered a Copa America record with six assists in five games in this tournament, will continue to play in the number 10 role. Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias will occupy the flanks. Jhon Cordoba has been a preferable choice to start up front ahead of Jhon Duran and Rafael Santos Borre in all of the last four matches. He has produced two goals and two assists and looks good to play in the starting XI of the final.
Head to head
Argentina and Colombia have played in eight draw games, with Argentina winning 25 games and Colombia winning nine times. Argentina are the favourites, by record. Both teams are in red form. Argentina will be a dominant force if they win their third major tournament final. Colombia will mark a new chapter of dominant performance if they win this, having already won games against champion sides like Spain and Germany.
Predicted Lineup
Argentina:
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez
Colombia:
Vargas; S. Arias, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; J. Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba
When, where, and how to watch the Argentina vs Colombia match in India?
The Argentina vs. Colombia Copa America 2024 match is officially not being broadcast in India. However, you can catch the highlights from Fan Code. The action begins at 5:30 a.m. IST tomorrow.
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Publish date : 2024-07-14 11:42:17
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