The victor will celebrate a historic achievement. Two unbeaten teams left in the tournament will clash for the title with both sides looking to end their long title droughts.
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“Our play was much better than in the match against Colombia”, he said after the game as reported by Eurosport.
Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore’s contributions to the variety and depth of their attack at the Copa America includes his ability to link up with Lionel Messi even if that means acting like a post.
Chile is playing in its first Copa America final in 28 years. The playmaker helped Argentina’s Under-23s win the Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, but he still has nothing to show for when it comes to the senior squad.
[REPORT: Argentina thump Paraguay to reach Copa America final].
Many soccer pundits thought Argentina would bring home the trophy last time in 2011 because they were the host nation, but that dream ended in mirage. “We will continue to play our way”, he said. “We keep trying to win one of these championships”. After dismantling the same opponent 6-1 on Tuesday night for a place in Saturday’s Copa final, there was a joyous relief.
Playing in front of the home crowd with an unprecedented generation of players, Chile has nearly everything going its way.
Argentina have only ever lost one competitive worldwide to Chile, 1-0 in a 2010 World Cup qualifier in Santiago in October 2008.
Let’s break down what we can expect from each team in Saturday’s final.
“Let’s hope they can get some kind of revenge and that we can lift this cup”.
Sampdoria goalkeeper Romero said: “Winning the cup is everything we want”.
Sergio Aguero – another component of Martino’s impressive forward line – was on target against Paraguay and talked up the quality Argentina possess with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain lurking on the bench.
Medel, 27, embodies the never-say-die spirit of the Chilean team which has never won the Copa. “This is something only (the media) is talking about”.
Ironically, Chile’s high-pressing, thrilling brand of play, was installed in them by an Argentinian, in Marcelo Bielsa, and is now being continued by his disciple and compatriot Jorge Sampaoli.
Semi-final – 30 JuneArgentina 6-1 Paraguay (Rojo 15, Pastore 27, Di María 47, 53, Aguero 80, Higuain 83; Barrios 43)La Albiceleste exacted revenge with a stunning display in which Rojo and Di Maria starred.
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Garay is coach Gerardo Martino’s favoured centre back partner to Nicolás Otamendi, but should the 28-year-old fail to recover, Manchester City’s experienced defender Martín Demichelis will retain his spot in the starting line-up.
