Lionel Messi’s Argentina will take on Neymar’s Brazil for the Copa America 2021 title on Saturday (10).

Compile by Ranjika Perera

Copa America 2021

SCHEDULE

Semi-final-1 on Tuesday (6):

* Brazil 1 beat Peru 0

Semi-final-2 on Wednesday (7):

* Argentina 1 (3) beat Colombia 1 (2)

Final on 11 July, Sunday at 5.30 a.m. SL Time:

* Argentina vs. Brazil

Third-place Play-off on 10 July, Saturday at 5.30 a.m. SL Time:

* Colombia vs. Peru

[caption id="attachment_148397" align="alignnone" width="454"] Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior will hold the key for Brazil, certainly[/caption]

It was the fitting end to what has been a very competitive Copa America championship tournament in the recent years. Argentina will be motivated to lift some silverware for the first time since 1993. They are up against the defending champions and a formidable Brazil outfit.

Argentina - Road to the finals

Argentina had a scrappy start to the tournament. They kicked off the tournament with a 1-1 draw against a spirited Chile side. Then they were forced to grind out two wins against Paraguay and Uruguay.

[caption id="attachment_148398" align="alignnone" width="454"] It’s about time football gods join together and allow Lionel Messi to tick the only remaining box of his long list of achievements[/caption]

Their true potential came to the fore in their 4-0 win over Bolivia. Argentina were up against Ecuador in the quarter-final. After taking the lead early in the game, Argentina held back and parked the bus without sealing off the match. They were fortunate to hold on and eventually score two late goals to make the score-line look better.

It was a similar performance in the semi-finals where they took the lead early through Lautaro Martinez and then was content in holding back. This time it proved costly as Columbia equalised and the game went into penalties. Luckily for Argentina, Emiliano Martinez stepped up and saved three penalties to secure the final spot against Brazil.

Brazil - Road to the finals

Brazil had the ideal start to their campaign. The first two games were dominated against Venezuela (3-0) and Peru (4-0). They announced their arrival and made a strong case for being the favourites and living up to the expectation of successfully defending their title. The first real test for Brazil was against Columbia where they trailed 1-0 until the 78th minute, before Roberto Firminho equalised in controversial circumstances where the referee allegedly deflected the ball in the build up.

After a lengthy deliberation, the goal was awarded and Brazil went on to find the winner through Casemiro during injury time. The final group-stage game, they were stunned by Ecuador who needed at least a draw to stay in the tournament and they did so with a late equaliser from Angel Mena.

Brazil met Chile in the quarter-finals. They took the lead early in the second half but an uncharacteristic karate kick to the face of a Chilean player saw Gabriel Jesus sent off. However, Brazil held on to the lead and progressed to the semis. In the semis, Brazil beat Peru 1-0, thanks to an early Lucas Paqueta goal.

Argentina vs. Brazil history

The two teams have been stalwarts of football in the South America and what world. However, Brazil has had the better of their regional rivals in the history. Out of their 111 meet-ups, Brazil have won 46, while Argentina have only won 40, with 25 drawn matches.

The last time the two teams met was in 2019, when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the Superclasico de las Americas. Lionel Messi scored the winner in that game. During the last ten meet-ups, Brazil have won five while Argentina won four with one drawn game. The two teams last met in a final in the 2007 Copa America, where Brazil crushed Argentina 3-0 with goals from Julio Baptista, Roberto Ayala, and Dani Alves. The only surviving player from that match is Lionel Messi!

Key players for both sides

For obvious reasons, both Lionel Messi and Neymar will hold the key for either side. Former Barcelona attacking duo, have been in prime form leading up to the final and it will be a treat to watch these two players competing at the highest level.

For Brazil, Lucas Paqueta has arrived into the scene with two goals in the knockout stages. His pace up-front and the accuracy of his finishing will be a threat for the fragile Argentine defence. The experienced centre-back combination of Thiago Silva and Marquinhos will play a pivotal role for Brazil in defence. They will miss the services of Manchester City forward, Gabriel Jesus who was suspended for two matches after his red card against Chile.

For Argentina, Lautaro Martinez has found form in the latter part of the campaign. Ever though, there is room for improvement in his finishing, but he looks to be in the same page with Messi to combine well in front.

They have also found a good right winger in Nicholas Gonzales and a dependable midfield combination between Guido Rodriguez and Rodrigo De Paul. Goal-keeper Emiliano Martinez, hero of the semi-final, will be tested more against Brazil and he will have to produce another good performance if Argentina were to make a match of it.

It has been a long time waiting for Argentina since they have not won a major championship since 1993, despite reaching the 2014 World Cup final and Copa America finals in 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2016.

Despite all accolades, Lionel Messi is yet to lift a trophy in national colours. It’s about time football gods join together and allow the maestro to tick the only remaining box of his long list of achievements.