Date: Sunday 11th July, 2021
Time: 1:00am
Stadium Estadio do Maracana
Referee Esteban Ostojich (Uruguay)
Goal Scorer:
Team News
Argentina
Argentina’s midfield setup is slightly different compared to Brazil. Lionel Scaloni typically favours a 4-3-3 formation, with two midfielders largely dictating the approach of the game.
Leandro Paredes remains a guaranteed starter in the holding midfield role. However, things get interesting as far as his potential midfield partners are concerned. Rodrigo De Paul is a favourite as he can offer creativity to the table, but Scaloni might just go with Giovani Lo Celso ahead of Guido Rodriguez in the vacant slot.
Lo Celso has the ability to drive forward and make breakthrough passes in the final third. It could be useful as Brazil are likely to mark Messi out of the game.
On that note, Argentina might also opt for Nico Gonzalez ahead of Angel Di Maria as the Stuttgart forward can drift infield more often as opposed to Di Maria’s more conventional techniques out wide. Either way, both Messi and Gonzalez are expected to provide support for central striker Lautaro Martinez, with Sergio Aguero serving as an alternative.
Defensively, German Pezzella should continue to start in place of Cristian Romero, forming the heart of the four-man backline alongside the experienced Nicolas Otamendi.
There might be a change at right-back, though, with Gonzalo Montiel starting ahead of Nahuel Molina. The same cannot be said for left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and goalkeeper Emi Martinez as they are vital assets to the Argentine defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): E Martinez; Montiel, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, L Martinez, Gonzalez
Form Guide: Argentina: WWWWW
Brazil
CONMEBOL’s decision to further uphold Gabriel Jesus’ suspension has garnered a lot of media attention this week. Dismissed for a horror challenge on Ben Brereton in the quarter-final against Chile, it appears the Man City attacker is set to miss the final. It causes a major selection dilemma for Tite, as he looks to choose between Roberto Firmino and Everton in the Brazilian attack. Everton might get the nod, having starred in the 2019 edition.
Likely to start alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta, it will be interesting to see how the Benfica winger operates in the final third as Brazil do lack a proper goalscorer. Richarlison is the favourite to operate in the number nine role, but it won’t be surprising to see Neymar and Everton drift into central areas.
It should allow Renan Lodi, the left-back, to make overlapping runs, thus providing the width in the Brazilian attacks. The right-back Danilo, in contrast, may occupy a more conservative role, hoping to offer aid to the central defensive duo of Marquinhos and Thiago Silva.
Speaking of defence, Brazil arguably has the strongest defensive core in this edition of Copa America. Apart from the two strong centre-backs, the presence of Casemiro could be vital, as far as marking Lionel Messi is concerned.
Casemiro’s duties with Messi may make Brazil vulnerable, with Fred being tasked with the responsibility of keeping things tidy in the middle of the park. As such, it won’t be surprising to see Paqueta dropping deep, aiding both Casemiro and Fred in the second line of press.
Meanwhile, Ederson remains a favourite to start in goal for the Selecao. The Manchester City goalkeeper has largely started the Copa America games so far, meaning he should get the nod ahead of Alisson and Weverton.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Danilo, Silva, Marquinhos, Lodi; Casemiro, Fred; Everton, Paqueta, Neymar; Richarlison
Form Guide: Brazil: WWDWW
Quote
Key Stats
Lionel Messi has been arguably the best player in Copa America 2021 so far, securing four man of the match awards in six of Argentina’s matches.
Argentina are currently experiencing a 28-year trophy drought, with their last major title being the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador.
La Albiceleste also slightly lag behind Brazil in terms of head-to-head record, securing 39 victories compared to the Selecao‘s 44 in a total of 105 matches.
With five goals, Messi could become the second-highest all-time goalscorer in this Latin American Superclassico if he can score in the final this weekend, moving just two short of Pele’s record eight goals.
These two sides last met in a friendly back in November 2019, with Messi scoring in a narrow 1-0 win for Argentina.
Lionel Messi has been arguably the best player in Copa America 2021 so far, securing four man of the match awards in six of Argentina’s matches.
Argentina are currently experiencing a 28-year trophy drought, with their last major title being the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador.
La Albiceleste also slightly lag behind Brazil in terms of head-to-head record, securing 39 victories compared to the Selecao‘s 44 in a total of 105 matches.
With five goals, Messi could become the second-highest all-time goalscorer in this Latin American Superclassico if he can score in the final this weekend, moving just two short of Pele’s record eight goals.
These two sides last met in a friendly back in November 2019, with Messi scoring in a narrow 1-0 win for Argentina.
Prediction:Argentina 1-2 Brazil
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