Holders Argentina are one step away from successfully defending the Copa America title and the final obstacle that stands in their way is the glory-seeking Colombian unit.
Fifteen-time champions Argentina look to add another continental crown to their storied collection with star man Lionel Messi on the cusp of yet another monumental achievement that would only befit his glowing career if the title success were to come to pass.
The miracle man from Rosario has silenced naysayers with his beloved national side over the past few years by leading them to the Copa title on rival territory in Brazil before accomplishing the ultimate dream of the World Cup in Qatar in heroic manner.
Albiceleste’s American Dream, Part 1:
Messi is back again on the big stage in the colours of the Albiceleste, and this time on North American soil where he plays his club football too these days. The World Cup winner’s move to MLS came as the ultimate boost to the football culture in a land where the word ‘soccer’ is prevalent.
The North American’s push for the proliferation and development of the sport as they mount up to the prestigious task of hosting the 2026 World Cup made all the more sense with the arrival of the eight-time Balon d’Or winner, and the ongoing Copa America serves as the perfect teaser for grander things to come.
And much like during the World Cup, the world of football cheers Messi on to rack up another prize in the jersey which was once deemed too heavy on the shoulders of the little magician. However, those times merely linger as a faded, distant memory of times past after the left-footer’s coronation in Doha in December of 2022.
The tournament which once forced Messi into a brief period of international retirement before an eventual u-turn in the year 2016 following a final day loss to Chile on a tie-breaker, has turned out to be a much kinder one for the captain and his men and the Albiceleste will carry-on the laurels of their ‘Messi-led-generation’ to further stamp their authority on the game of the current period.
The boy from Rosario went on to achieve immortality, but the seeds are believed to be sown ahead of the previous edition of the Copa America during which Argentina began their incredible 36-game unbeaten run as they picked up the continental and the global showpieces. And Messi would like to return to the roots of his Argentine success, in a manner of speaking with a title on Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Colombian Calling and the Return of the Prodigal Son:
Colombia, conversely, seek to emulate the triumphant chronicles of their 2001 cohort that brought the nation’s first and only Copa America trophy to date home. Riding on the back of James Rodriguez’s second coming as the gifted midfielder rolls the years back all the way to 2014 when he shook the globe with his awe-inspiring performances to take the golden boot in the Brazil World Cup.
The left-footer who mesmerised the world with six goals at the 2014WC, including that memorable strike against Uruguay to send the Brazuca bulging into the back of the net, has already created as many strikes for his teammates this tournament and seems to be on a creative spree on the ball.
Rodriguez went one past Messi’s record of most number of assists in a single edition of the CONMEBOL event thanks to his headline performances in the run-up to the championship clash and will hope to double down on the lead come the finals.
Colombia find themselves enjoying their longest-ever run of matches unbeaten as they stretched it to 28 on the trot including their 1-0 win over Uruguay in the semifinal. The final-four clash might be remembered for scenes of an unsavoury nature as Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez was pictured barging into the crowd in a kerfuffle following the loss, but Los Cafeteros will have their sights focused on the glittery trophy and nothing else.
An Argentine Coach Donning White and Blue, Another Draped in Yellow, Blue and Red:
Colombia’s head coach Nestor Lorenzo might probably be the only Argentine who would have to curtail his emotions for the Albiceleste on the day of the summit clash as he helms the Cafeteros’ title charge. The 58-year-old, who was the assistant to compatriot Jose Pekerman during his time in charge of Colombia between 2012 and 2019, will look to etch a permanent place for himself in the annals of Colombia football and folklore with a win on Sunday.
While Lionel Scaloni would be as vocal and expressive with his love for the white and blue from the touchline as he operates from behind the curtains for his second Copa title on the trot. The 46-year-old has been at the forefront of Argentina’s turn in fortunes since he took charge of the national unit in 2018 and would seek to line his trophy cabinet with yet another piece of the glorious silverware.
The Santa Fe-born Scaloni has already reserved a position of prominence in Argentine fables with his trophy-laden stint with the national side but would be determined to see his name up in lights yet again.
Road to Final:
Argentina:
Argentina topped Group A with wins over Canada, Chile and Peru as they also managed to maintain a clean sheet in each game.
Argentine keeper Emi Martinez was beaten for the first time in open play in the tournament by Ecuador but managed to help his side by producing two saves in the penalty shootout.
Messi registered his first goal of the tournament against Canada in the semis to book his side’s berth in the summit clash.
Group Stage:
Argentina vs Canada: Argentina Won 2-0
Argentina vs Chile: Argentina Won 1-0
Argentina vs Peru: Argentina Won 2-0
Quarterfinal:
Argentina vs Ecuador: Argentina Won 4-3 on Penalties (1-1 After Full Time)
Semifinal:
Argentina vs Canada: Argentina Won 2-0
Colombia:
Colombia topped Group D ahead of heavyweights Brazil, Costa Rica and Paraguay as they pulled off a draw against the Canarinho after notching up wins over the other two sides in the pool.
La Tricolor stormed past Panama in the quarterfinals before the cagey match against Uruguay yielded a favourable result for Lorenzo’s men as they punched their ticket to the final of the tournament.
Group Stage:
Colombia vs Paraguay: Colombia Won 2-1
Colombia vs Costa Rica: Colombia Won 3-0
Colombia vs Brazil: 1-1 Draw
Quarterfinal:
Colombia vs Panama: Colombia Won 5-0
Semifinal:
Colombia vs Uruguay: Colombia Won 1-0
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