Messi trains with the Argentina team ahead of the final. File Pic[/caption]Internet Desk: Argentina and Chile will eye for Copa America glory for a second straight summer after both the teams enjoying cakewalks in the semifinals. Argentina routed hosts USA 4-0 on Tuesday night, while Chile overcame Colombia 2-0 in a weather-delayed game.
Last year, Chile lifted their first ever Copa America Centenario after winning the penalty-shootouts against Argentina. Argentina were winning 2-1, through Ever Banega and Angel Di Maria’s goals, before Chile leveled in the dying minutes of the game, to take the match to extra-time and then penalties.
This year, one can expect the same high-octane, pulsating and non-stop action finale from the South American powers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with Argentina considered the overwhelming favourites.
This will be Argentina's third straight major final, and after experiencing big disappointment in each of the last two, coach Tata Martino has a golden opportunity once again to set his nation smiling. The pressure is immense, but Martino and co. will be high in confidence after thumping USA.
That said, Gonzalo Higuain bringing his hot Napoli form to the competition, Messi continuing to dazzle and the midfield showing its dynamism, Argentina will not get such a chance once again to end their sorry state and bring some trophies back to the nation.
Speaking about Chile, they will aim to stun the World Cup 2014 finalists once again and take the Copa America home. The two teams have met twice since July, when Jorge Sampoali’s men triumphed 4-1 in a penalty shootout. Argentina has won on both occasions, both times by a 2-1 scoreline.
A victory over Bolivia and a 4-2 win against Panama got them in the knock out round, but they lacked the clinical game, which they played under Jorge Sampoali. Then everything changed.
Chile thrashed Mexico 7-0 and the whole world went gaga. Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez wreaked havoc against Mexico, and La Roja had burst into life. Against Colombia in the semifinals, Chile were 2-0 up inside 11 minutes, despite the absence of Arturo Vidal and Marcelo Diaz.
Martino has acknowledged his side’s sloppiness in the defence and the build-up play, which means Juan Antonio Pizzi’s high pressing is surely going to cause problems. With Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marcos Rojo and Di Maria out, Chile have enough reasons to be happy.
But the main question for Pizzi and his team is, can they stop Messi? This time, he is playing some of the best football of his career and has been the competition’s best player, by far.
And currently, there is nobody with more excellence than Messi. Chile has done it before but with the little magician in lip-smacking form, the final expects to be an enthralling contest, which surely cannot be missed.
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