2015 Copa America Final: Argentina vs. Chile

The 2015 Copa America final features a clash between Lionel Messi led Argentina and host nation Chile.  Saturday July 4^th the two teams will take the field in Santiago, Chile as they battle for South American supremacy and a qualification spot for the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.  To truly understand the magnitude of this final it is necessary to retrace the paths both countries traveled to reach this point of the historic tournament.

Road To The Finals  

Chile emerged as the winners of Group A, recording two wins and a single tie.  Their group play opened against Ecuador who the Chileans defeated by a score of 2-0. The second match of the group stage was a high scoring draw against Mexico, which finished 3-3.  Chile then closed out their final group stage fixture punishing Bolivia 5-0, with midfielder Charles Aranguiz providing a brace. 

Argentina also entered the knockout stage of the tournament as the winners of their group.  However, they got off to a slow start, tying Paraguay 2-2 in their first match.  With the fixture in Argentina’s favor heading into the final minutes, Paraguayan substitute striker Lucas Barrios smashed home a last gasp shot to level the score line.  The star stubbed nation then recorded a 1-0 win over capable foes Uruguay and finished out Group B by disposing of tournament invitee Jamaica in another 1-0 win, courtesy of a brilliant early goal by forward Gonzalo Higuain.

The knockout stage opened featuring Chile vs. Uruguay and Argentina vs. Columbia.  Chile triumphed in a back-and-fourth game, as an 81^st minute right-footed-struck firecracker of a finish, by Mauricio Isla, lifted La Roja over Uruguay.  Argentina opened the knockout stage in a match that required penalties for a winner to be found.  Finishing 0-0, Carlos Tevez stepped up and fired his chance past Columbian keeper David Ospina to secure a 5-4 win on penalties. 

Argentina’s victory set up a rematch from Group B as The White and Sky Blue once again faced Paraguay.  Yet, the second meeting was a one sided affair.  Captain Lionel Messi propelled his country into the finals contributing three assists in the Argentinians dismantling of the Paraguayans.  Marcus Rojo opened the scoring in the 15^th minute, which began the 6-1 onslaught.  Midfielder Angel Di María headlined the match with goals in the 47^th and 53^rd minute.   

Chile found their Semifinal match more difficult.  Squaring off with Peru, the Chileans struck first in the 41^st minute.  Peru fought honorably and saw their hard work pay off in the 60^th minute, benefitting from a Gary Medel own goal. Team leading scorer, forward Eduardo Vargas, answered quickly by sealing the victory with his second goal of the match.  The 22^nd goal of his international career may prove to be his best ever, hammering an absolute thunderbolt from outside the box into the upper left hand corner.

Final Preview 

Argentina enters this match with a squad of explosive players.  Lionel Messi’s talent is indescribable.  The 28-year-old captain will make his 103^rd appearance in Saturday’s final, 5^th most in Argentinean history, and ranks second all-time for this country in scoring with 46 goals. 

Alongside Messi, Argentina has a plethora of dangerous forwards: Carlos Tevez, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín and Ezequiel Lavezzi.  The midfield also contains scoring threats as Javier Pastore and Ángel Di María have both put together stellar tournaments, combining for a total of three goals so far.  Defensively, Marcos Rojo and Nicolás Otamendi command the backline in front of goalie Sergio Romero.

Host nation Chile has their entire country thirsty for Copa America victory-flavored wine.  Captain Claudio Bravo will need to have a flawless performance to ensure a win as the goalie and Barcelona teammate of Messi has a tough task ahead of him.

Midfielder Arturo Vidal will share the weight of team leading responsibilities with Bravo.  Vidal ranks second on the team in scoring with three goals.  Joining him in the midfield is Jorge Valdivia who leads the entire tournament field with three assists.  Alexis Sánchez and Eduardo Vargas highlight Chile’s attack, as the duo has been marvelous to watch, as they combined to bring pace and cheeky skill to the starting eleven.   

Retracing the journey of both countries is the only way to appreciate the vitally of football in South America.  A victory in the 2015 Copa America Final provides the more than simply the ultimate bragging rights as claiming this title brings indefinable glory to the people of each nation. 

Prediction: Argentina 3 - 2 Chile