Argentina to end 3 trophy-less decades in classic
The troubled Copa América 2021 will come to a conclusion this weekend, with last-minute hosts Brazil facing off against fierce rivals Argentina for supremacy in CONMEBOL. Both nations have added some hitherto rarely seen defensive nous to their usual attacking flair. Barring possibly the World Cup in Qatar at the closing of 2022, this will be living legend Leo Messi's last chance to add a major international trophy to his endless list of honours. He might just succeed in the backyard of a country where it will hurt the most. Read our preview here:
Hosts with the most?
One of the more intriguing developments of the summer showpiece has been just how tight the Seleção backline under head coach Tite, shipping just twice in the six games it's taken to reach this point. Additionally, far from being wholly reliant on Neymar to be the difference maker at the other end, the likes of Lucas Paquetá in particular have stepped up to ease his burden, and the 23 year old grabbed the crucial solitary goals in both the quarter and semi-final clashes. Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus misses out, serving the second match of his two-game suspension, but his unavailability is unlikely to be felt too severely, given the emergence of other options. The double pivot of Casemiro and Fred, the latter of whom is more consistent in performance in the yellow of his national side than the red of United, will need to shut down a very impressive triumvirate in midfield to give their creators reliable outballs for the majority of the encounter.
The little lion roars
Two of the accusations often levelled at Messi when donning an Argentina shirt, aside from the now inaccurate perception that he alone carries his side, are that he'll never lift a championship with La Albiceleste (which is then construed as a 'weakness' with regards to the interminable debate as to whether he or Cristiano Ronaldo, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, is the better player), and that he seldom shows the kind of passion and aggression on the field to engage fans in a different way to his obvious talents. That has been dealt a huge blow in 2021, especially with his reaction to Yerry Mina's miss for Colombia in the penalty shoot-out showdown that helped set up this final. Perhaps he is keenly aware that it's nearing last chance saloon, but moreover, Lionel Scaloni has assembled a true team around the talisman to really have optimism. The midfield trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes and Giovani Lo Celso have all been superb in slightly different roles, and could be where the tempo of the game is determined.
Hey, Maracanã!
An empty Maracanã is not ideal for several reasons, and it could inadvertently play into Argentina's hands. Far from a dour match is on the horizon despite the relative silence surrounding the players and coaching staff, and all the off-field problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Betway have odds of 2.37 for the 'visitors' to end 28 years without any major cup, including after extra time and/or penalties.
