South American giants, Brazil and Argentina will battle it out in the final of this year’s Copa America billed for Sunday, July 11 at the Maracanã stadium.
Host Brazil will aim to retain the title on home turf after triumphing in 2019, while Lionel Scaloni’s men go in search of their first piece of major silverware in 28 years.
Brazil came into this year’s edition of the Copa America as the pre-tournament favorites, and they got off to a fine start in the group stage with three consecutive wins.
Meanwhile, Argentina had somewhat of a contrasting group campaign to their final opponents, having drawn their opening game before growing into the tournament.
Also recall that Brazil defeated Peru 1-0 in the semi-final while Argentina saw off Colombia on penalties to reach the final.
La Albiceleste will be playing in their 29th final, having most recently got to the big stage in 2016, when they fell to a defeat in a penalty shootout at the hands of Chile.
Sunday’s clash will see former teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar square off against each other for the prestigious trophy.
Messi will bid to end an international trophy hoodoo when he leads the Argentine out against Selecao. This could be his last opportunity to win silverware with La Albiceleste, having missed out on previous occasions, after his senior debut in 2005.
Neymar on the other hand, has also never won a major football title. The Paris Saint-Germain star was out with injury in the 2019 Copa America which Brazil won.
Head To Head
Both nations have clashed 108 times with Brazil boasting 43 wins and Argentina having won 39.
Their most recent meeting came in 2019 – the semi-final of this tournament, as Brazil knocked La Albiceleste out with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino on their way to lifting the trophy.
Possible starting lineup
Brazil: Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Silva, Sandro; Fred, Casemiro; Richarlison, Paqueta, Everton; Neymar
Argentina: E Martinez; Molina, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, L Martinez, Gomez