Europe may be waiting for England against Italy in Sunday’s Euro 2020 showpiece, but Saturday’s Copa America final in South America is another big match to look forward to as an age-old rivalry between the two more successful teams is.
Brazil against Argentina is a true classic. The teams first met in 1914 and over the years have established themselves as two of the most storied sides in world football. Together they have won seven World Cups.
Both teams have been ahead of their rivals in this year’s Copa America and Neymar and Lionel Messi have two exceptional performances of the tournament.
Argentina are unbeaten in 19 games, going into a performance at the Maracan stadium, while Brazil, the hosts and defending champions, have not lost since defeating Argentina in a November 2019 friendly.
“Whether we like it or not, he has the best player in the world (Messi),” said Brazilian forward Richardson.
“So it creates a certain rivalry. We know how difficult it is to beat Argentina not only now but also in the past and we know how difficult it will be in Maracan.
This year’s final is particularly interesting because of the timing in terms of organization and personnel.
The Copa was to be held in Colombia and Argentina, but Brazil held off at the last minute due to unrest in Colombia and a COVID-19 surge in Argentina.
This angered Argentina, who had been relying on a home advantage after hosting Brazil’s last tournament two years ago – when they beat Argentina 2–0 in the semi-finals in which controversial referee decisions fell in favor of the host nation.
trophy dry
It is also another tournament where Argentina – and Messi in particular – are trying to end a long trophy drought. He hasn’t won a major title since lifting the Copa America in 1993, and Messi has never won a silver medal with the national team.
Brazil are narrow favorites and not just because they are at home and have a slightly better record so far in the tournament. He also has a reputation for beating Argentina in crunch games.
The two sides have met four times in the final, three in the Copa America and one in the Confederations Cup – in 2005. Argentina defeated Brazil in the forerunner of the Copa America in 1937, but have not done so in a showpiece match since.
Brazil won the 2004 Copa América final in Peru and again in Venezuela in 2007, when they overcame a fictional team involving a young Messi in their first international final.
Headlines ahead of Saturday’s clash will talk about Messi’s quest for his maiden title but the same is true for Neymar.
Brazil won the Confederations Cup in 2013 and, like Messi, has an Olympic gold medal. But he missed the 2019 Copa America win due to injury.
He has at least one stellar record in Maracan.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward said, “The films reflect all the glory and joy I’ve spent there.” “I’ve never lost there, and I hope that doesn’t change.”
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