Twelve
teams started this tournament, with few teams aspiring to go all the way and
for rest of the teams to see how far they can manage to reach in this South
American journey. The tournament had a few surprises, a few controversial
moments but in the end two deserving teams made it to the final, with both
teams a step closer from being crowned as champions of South America.
Both
these teams have stressed the importance of winning this trophy; with likes of
Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi having reiterated that they would gladly give
away their domestic trophies just to win this one.
Those
host nation Chile who were considered as one of the favourites of winning this
tournament believe with the help of their home support are confident they can
achieve this feat and earn their first Copa America title.
La
Roja have played their football with confidence and have ensured they get the
winner before ninety minutes unlike their opposition who had to grind out a
victory in their quarter-final. Although the Chileans have played exceptional
football they had to overcome a few controversies on and off the field. But
it’s all in the past now and La Roja must focus on the positives and not let
the negatives affect their performance in the final.
Chilean
supporters will be relying on their talisman, Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal
to play a vital role in the final. Also La Roja supporters have found a new
hero to be buzzing about, the tournament top scorer Eduardo Vargas the QPR
striker had a horrid season in the recently concluded English Premier League,
but has impressed not only his teammates but also his nation by putting in some
fine performances for the national side. The Chilean forward has bagged four
goals in this tournament who is giving his fellow team-mate Vidal a run for his
money for the tournament’s top scorer.
The only disappointment for the Chilean side
would be the form of Arsenal attacker Alexis Sanchez, who had a terrific season
with Arsenal winning the FA Cup and scoring plenty of goals, has failed to
replicate his club form in this tournament. The Chilean has scored only one
goal in this tournament and has provided just one assist; nevertheless the
Arsenal man is a big game player and generally punishes opposing sides in big
occasions like this.
Argentina,
like Chile was also considered strong favourites to go all the way and clinch
the silverware. Although the Albiceleste have won the tournament an astounding
fourteen times, the last time they picked up this coveted trophy was way back
in 1993. The Albiceleste captain was only just six years old at that time when
his country won this trophy.
The
Argentineans started the tournament by playing some ordinary football, grinding
narrow victories which did please the boss Tata Martino who was very vocal
about his sides performances till the quarter-final. It was not the usual
quick-fluid passing, deadly counter attacking and striking threat that most of
us are used to seeing from the Albiceleste. It was only in the semi-final
against Paraguay where the supporters as well as the rest of the world saw the
real game play from Argentina that we all know and expect from them. Punishing
the Paraguayans with their swift deadly counter attacks and most importantly
making a statement that we are here to play and we mean business. This
performance also saw Coach Tata Martino finally say something positive about
his side’s performance.
Even
though La Albiceleste have enjoyed a good run, the only disappointment for
Argentina supporters and for the rest of the world would be the talisman Lionel
Messi not getting on the score sheet often, his only goal in this competition
was on the opening group match against Paraguay scoring from the penalty spot.
Many would have assumed the Argentinean to be firing all cylinders in this
tournament as he had a fine season with Barcelona winning the treble. Even
though the Albiceleste skipper hasn’t been getting on the score sheet, he is
still a vital figure in this Argentina side having provided three assists and
also having more shots on goal in this tournament a total of seventeen shots,
it’s just unlucky any of those shots have not landed in the back of the net.
Both
these teams are desperate for Copa America glory, some ready to sacrifice their
club trophies for this one, some just to create history by making their nation
proud. Regardless of the result, it’s going to be a cracker of a game and let’s
hope a controversy free one.
Players
to watch out for:
Argentina:
Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria
Chile:
Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas
Possible
line-ups:
Argentina:
Romero; Demichelis, Garay, Zabaleta, Otamendi; Biglia, Mascherano, Pastore; Di
María, Messi, Agüero
Chile:
Bravo; Medel, Isla, Albornoz, Rojas; Vidal, Díaz, Aránguiz; Valdivia; Vargas,
Sánchez
Officiating
referee for the final: Wilmar Roldan
(Colombia)
Venue:
Estadio Nacional , Santiago
Joshua Ronald Ivan, follow him on Twitter.
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