As the Copa America 2024 final is right around the corner, football enthusiasts across the globe eagerly anticipate an electrifying showdown between Argentina and Colombia. The grand stage will be set this Sunday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Argentina is eying to win their third major international trophy in a row after winning Copa America 2021 and FIFA World Cup 2022, while Colombia will play their first major final since 2001, when they won Copa America for the first time by beating Mexico in the finals.
The road for Argentina was not as hard as it was for Colombia to reach the finals. The World Champions easily got past Canada in the semifinals, whereas Colombia managed to beat Uruguay in tight competition. Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header from a corner, following a wonderful cross by James Rodriguez, was the difference in the game. Colombia right defender Daniel Munoz was provoked into a response just before halftime, elbowing Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte in the chest. Munoz received a straight red card, forcing Colombia to defend for the remainder of the match.
Both teams go to the finals unbeaten, but this time one team will lose. Remember that in the final, if the result remains unresolved after 90 minutes, there will be 30 minutes of extra time to play, unlike in previous knockout matches that led to direct penalties after normal time.
Team News
Argentina
Argentina has no suspensions; therefore, they may use the same eleven who faced Canada in the semifinals. Julian Alvarez might start ahead of Lurtaru Martinez, with Lionel Messi in the lead, in a compact formation that has allowed Alexis MacAllister and Angel Di Maria to get on the ball frequently. Lionel Scaloni’s defensive unit is quite stable, with Emiliano Martinez in goal and Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez in front of him at center back.
Colombia
Munoz is suspended for the final; therefore, Colombia will make a change at right back, with Santiago Arias likely replacing him. James and Diaz behind Jhon Cordoba have worked really well for Colombia in attack, and they are such an aggressive team when they win the ball back, with James having the ability to bring down any opponent. They have 12 goals in the Copa America 2024, the highest of any side and four more than Argentina.
Predictions
All those who predict aren’t right, although the chances are heavily stacked in Argentina’s favor. Messi will lead Argentina to their eighth major final since 2007. Argentina has lost five, including the tragedy of the 2014 World Cup final. However, the sun began to shine for the Albiceleste when they won the Copa America in 2021, their first international trophy since the 1993 victory. After then, they didn’t look back, winning what may be Messi’s final piece of an incredible career, the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, followed by the Finnalisma in 2023 by defeating Italy at Wembley Stadium.
So, on Sunday, we should expect a greater celebration for Argentina, but Colombia might be an unexpected guest. Colombia, which is 28 games unbeaten, will most likely play without pressure because of its underdog status, but if it goes behind, it may not have a solution for Argentina.
The most dangerous players for Colombia are Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez, and while they may be deadly in attack, they have no prior experience in an international final with their national side. Colombia’s history also does not favor them. It has only won one of its past 12 encounters with Argentina, and its last Copa America trophy dates back to 2001.
Argentina has played 51 matches since 2019, managed by Lionel Scaloni. They only lost two of them and won three major trophies in the process. So Colombia needs to hope for a miracle to occur on Sunday.
Will the Copa America 2024 final be Leo Messi’s last international match?
,Although there is still no confirmed answer to say whether Leo Messi will continue playing for Argentina, as we have previously discussed his retirement plans and after Canada’s victory, Lionel Messi talked about his future plans.
While talking to Argentina’s social media channels, he said, “It is a difficult cup, very hard, with hot temperatures. The fact that we are in a final once again is to be celebrated. It’s crazy what this group has done and what the Argentine national team has been doing. These are the last battles, and I’m enjoying them to the fullest.”
But according to some sources, Lionel Messi also wants to keep playing for Argentina beyond Sunday’s Copa America final.
“As I’ve said before, I intend to continue,” he said Tuesday night after Argentina’s 2-0 win over Canada. “I intend to keep living day by day without thinking about what will come in the future or whether I’ll continue or not. It’s something I just live each day. I’m 37 years old, and only God knows when the end will be.”
Ángel Di María’s Last match
Messi’s Olympic-winning partner, Ángel Di María, does intend to retire after Sunday’s Copa America final game against Colombia at Miami. The 36-year-old Di María made his international debut in 2008 and has 31 goals in 144 appearances.
“It’s my last battle. There’s nothing left to say that I haven’t said a lot of times before,” Di María explained. “It’s my last game. I have to say thank you to all Argentineans and to this generation that has allowed me to lift so many trophies.”
Who will emerge victorious? Will Messi lead Argentina to another Copa America triumph, or will Colombia script a historic victory? All eyes will be on Miami as the footballing world awaits the answer.
