Argentina legend, Diego Maradona, has said the Albiceleste should win Sunday’s Copa America Centenario final against Chile in New Jersey, but warned his compatriots that if they lose, they should not return home. Argentina came away with 2-1 wins in both of those games, including a win in the group stage of this tournament in which Lionel Messi did not play.
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Chile overcame a severe storm, a 21/2-hour delay and a battling Colombia to advance to the Copa Centenario final with a 2-0 win on Wednesday.
Following losses in last year’s Copa final and in the World Cup 2014 final, Argentina are under massive pressure.
Argentina beat the hosts United States 4-0 earlier this week to reach their second consecutive Copa America final ensuring a repeat of last year’s showpiece.
The skies finally cleared and action resumed at 10.25pm (local time) but wet patches all over the pitch made things hard for the players.
Chile will have the chance to defend its Copa America title after defeating Colombia 2-0 in the semifinals.
Messi believes Argentina have become a more formidable unit following their previous failures.
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The lead was doubled four minutes later after an Alexis Sanchez shot rebounded off the post into the path of Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, who sidefooted into an empty net after Ospina was beaten once again.
Chile played without Arturo Vidal after the skilled midfielder was suspended for a second yellow card, and defensive midfielder Marcelo Diaz was sidelined by injury. The semifinal that took place in Chicago saw fans evacuated due to extreme weather over the stadium.
The 29-year-old has scored five times, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta as his country’s all-time leading scorer in the process, and many back in Argentina are saying he is finally putting in the type of performances that have, until now, only been seen with Barca.
“When you concede a goal after three minutes against such a team… that’s when you’ve already lost your mental battle”, Klinsmann lamented.
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Pekerman’s side showed little late in the game, with Chile holding on to book a meeting with Argentina in the final of the special-edition tournament.
