Dream final at the Copa America: Messi’s final goal is via Neymar


Dream final at the Copa America
Messi’s final goal is via Neymar

Lionel Messi has won everything with FC Barcelona and is still without a title with the Argentine national team. Now all that’s missing is a single win. With the semi-final victory over Colombia, Messi moves into the final against Brazil – but the hero of the evening is a different one.

Argentina made the dream final against Brazil in the Maracanã Stadium perfect and won against Colombia in the semi-finals of the Copa America. Lionel Messi’s Argentine national team won 3-2 on penalties at the Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasília. After the regular playing time it was 1: 1 (1: 0). Lautaro Martínez gave Argentina the lead in the seventh minute. Once again, the all-rounder Messi provided the template. For the 34-year-old record international, it was already the fifth assist in four of his own goals in the tournament. He lost control of the ball in the penalty area, but got through to Yerry Mina, spun and fell back on Martínez, who hit with a low shot.

For Colombia, which played the South American Championship without its star James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz equalized to 1-1 (61st). After 90 minutes the decision from the chalk point went straight to the point. There goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez became the match winner for Argentina when he saved three penalties.

Instead of celebrating the success in a big way, Martínez preferred to look ahead to the decision on Saturday. “Brazil are a big team. They have been title contenders since day one, but we have a great coach, the best in the world and we want to win,” he said, praising his coach Lionel Scaloni and team-mate Messi. “What’s better than playing Brazil at home with you?”

The final is scheduled for July 10th at the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. There Messi lost the final against Germany (0: 1 nV) at the 2014 World Cup. “There will be Brazil and Argentina in the FINAL of the Copa America!”, It said in a publication on the Neymars Instagram account, along with a photo of the Brazilian and Argentine number ten in their respective national jerseys.

Fourth Copa final for Messi

Neymar had already made it clear that he would like the classic in the final: “I want Argentina, I keep my fingers crossed for Argentina, I have friends there, in the final the winner will be Brazil,” he said after Brazil with the 1-0 against Peru in the first semifinals paved the way for the dream final.

Brazil wants to defend the title in their own country, has an always dangerous striker in Neymar and is currently also leading in the qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup with six wins from six games.

Messi, who is currently without a club due to his expired contract with FC Barcelona, ​​led Argentina into the final and wants to finally win an international title with the national team. At the Copa tournaments in 2007, 2015 and 2016, he tried unsuccessfully in the finals to lead the Albiceleste out of the title epidemic that had been going on since 1993. Messi and his family have been unbeaten in 19 games (11 wins, eight draws), most recently losing on June 2, 2019 – 2-0 in the Copa semifinals against Brazil. However, it is encouraging that in the last continental triumph in 1993 in the semifinals, Colombia was also eliminated on penalties.

With another final triumph, the gauchos could catch up with record champions Uruguay (15 titles). For Brazil would be the tenth success in the Continental Cup on Saturday evening (9 p.m. local time / Sunday, 2 a.m. CEST).

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