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The two power-houses of South American and world football, Brazil and Argentina, will clash in the final of the 2021 edition of Copa America on Saturday, 10th July. This match will be played at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
This will be the first Brazil-Argentina clash in a Copa America final since 2007, where the Selecao handed Argentina a 3-0 thrashing. Coming into this competition as the favourites, Brazil have done their reputation no harm thus far – playing their usual brand of flamboyant and carefree football, but doing enough to get over the line in almost every match.
They started their campaign with a very comfortable 3-0 win against Venezuela. While that performance was impressive, their performance in the second group stage game against Peru was even more special. They secured a 4-0 win in that match.
The job was not as easy against Colombia in their third match as it was against Peru and Venezuela, but it was the game where Tite’s men showed what they can do when they have their backs against the wall. The Canarinho went down in the 10th minute, and were trailing the game till the 78th minute, when Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored the equalizer.
In what was the last action of the game, Casemiro netted the winner in the 10th minute of the extra-time. Brazil did settle for a 1-1 draw against Ecuador, but Tite tried out a few experiments and gave some players much-needed rest for that clash.
Brazil’s journey in the playoffs has not been extravagant, but it has not been nerve-wracking either. With two 1-0 victories, they have sealed their place in the final. They are aiming for their 10th Copa America title.
Argentina are one of the most successful teams in this competition. They have lifted this trophy 14 times, but the last of such instances was way back in 1993. In the past two decades or so, they have seen their rivals experience the taste of being crowned champions for South America on five different occasions, bringing the once-enormous gap in number of wins to only five.
This edition, however, has been all about a La Albiceleste resurgence. They started off with a draw against Chile, but then went on to win their next three group stage games quite comfortably. They scored six goals in those games, conceding only once.
In the quarter-final, Lionel Messi & Co. easily brushed aside Ecuador, beating them by a 3-0 margin. Colombia restricted them to 1-1 in the semi-final encounter, but Argentina eventually sealed their place in the final by winning the penalty shootout.
Key Players
Lionel Messi has scored 76 goals for his nation, 22 more than any other Argentine footballer. He is also his country’s most capped player. For all of his numerous individual records, Messi does not have a major international trophy to show for. It might finally be his time since he has been exceptional in this competition. Not only has he scored four goals, but has also led his team from the front.
Given the incredible talent of the two players, it is indeed strange that, like Messi, Neymar is yet to win a major trophy for his country as well. He has won the Olympic gold medal as well, and has a FIFA Confederations Cup to show for. But he was not a part of Brazil’s title-winning 2019 Copa America squad, owing to an injury. Neymar has scored two goals, and in the match, he was dropped, Brazil had to settle for a draw, which speaks volumes about his importance.
Brazil and Argentina are both known for their attacking talent, and hence, it might surprise a few that a goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been mentioned as a key player. However, his importance is immense, as he has been one of the major agents of the Argentine resurgence. Since the last few years, Argentina has struggled with the goalkeeping area, with many goalkeepers struggling to nail their place, including Willy Caballero and Franco Armani. Martinez made his competitive debut in this very competition, and he has already made himself a national hero. He has been impressive in every game, but it was the last match against Colombia where he made a name for himself by saving three penalties.
Not many would have expected Lucas Paqueta to even feature in Brazil’s starting XI in this competition, but he has established himself as one of their key players. He has been given a free license in the midfield. The Olympique Lyonnais player links up with the attackers, and also helps out the double pivot of Fred and Casemiro. He scored Brazil’s winner in the quarter-final and semi-final.
Prediction
In terms of head-to-head record, there is not much to separate the two rivals. Brazil have come out on top on 46 occasions, whereas Argentina have emerged victoriously 40 times. In the last 10 head-to-head meetings, Brazil have won five matches, while Argentina have won four.
The current form, however, shifts the balance slightly in Brazil’s favour. Tite’s men have won 11 of their last 12 encounters, whereas Argentina have won only 7 of their last 12 matches. Brazil have conceded only two goals in their eight matches in 2021, whereas Argentina have conceded six goals in their last eight matches. Hence, it will be safe to say that Brazil will start this match as the favourites.
