Rio de Janeiro: The Maracana Stadium will hold the most-awaited encounter of Copa America 2021 as defending champs Brazil and Argentina convene in the summit clash on Saturday – a recap of the 2007 edition final. If Argentina win, it will be their first major silverware since 1993.
Brazil have been quite harsh on La Albiceleste previously when the continental heavyweights faced each other in 2007 in Venezuela with the former taking all the honours with a 3-0 victory. In the last edition too, Brazil ousted Argentina with an identical scoreline in the semis eventually winning the title.
Argentina might not have had a brilliant start to the tournament fumbling 1-1 against Chile, but Lionel Messi and Co. took the momentum thereon winning all their matches until the semifinals where they were held in a goalless draw against Colombia. But Emiliano Martinez’s three crucial saves during the penalty shootout saw Argentina in their fourth Copa America final.
The Selecao had a comparatively smoother start coming into the tournament as host and pre-tournament favourites. They went on winning their first three matches before sharing points against Ecuador. Brazil picked up the pace again knocking out Chile in the quarterfinals and then knocked Peru out for the second time this campaign to make it to the final.
Former Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi both look forward to their first Copa title in the dream ‘Super Clasico’ final and clearly expressed their feeling ahead of the clash.
“Messi is, as I’ve always said, the best player I’ve ever seen play and he’s a great friend, but now we’re in a final, we’re rivals. I want to win and I really want to win this title, which would be my first Copa America,” said Neymar.
“Messi has been looking for his first title with the national team for many years, and every time we (Brazil) are not present at the tournament, I cheered for him. That’s what I’ve been cheering for in the 2014 World Cup final when he faced Germany.”
“When you’re friends with someone, it’s hard to forget the friendship you have – but for example when you play video games with a friend, you want to beat him anyway. It’ll be the same thing on Saturday,” he added.
Argentina talisman was really short with his words. Messi stated, “Brazil, with Neymar, are going to be very difficult. We know his potential, what he does individually.”
Tite’s men would come into the final without Gabriel Jesus who is still facing suspension following his red card in the quarterfinals against Chile. In his absence, Neymar would pair up in front with Everton and Richarlison. Quarterfinal and semifinal hero Lucas Paqueta will start in the midfield with Fred and Casemiro.
The back four will be formed by captain Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro, Danilo and Marquinhos while Manchester City ‘keeper Ederson guarding the post.
Lionel Scaloni boasts of the most efficient midfield form of Rodrigo De Paul, Giovanni Lo Celso and Leandro Paredes who will be supporting Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Nicolas Gonzalez in the front. Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nahuel Molina and German Pezzella are most likely to align in front of semifinal saviour and custodian Martinez as they intend to bring home the title.
