NEW DELHI: Argentina are on the brink of achieving an unprecedented feat in South American
football
by winning three consecutive major tournaments if they can defeat a strong Colombian side in the
Copa America final
on Sunday.
Led by the talismanic Lionel Messi, Argentina secured the
Copa America
title in 2021 and followed it up with a World Cup victory the following year.
They have progressed to the final this weekend against Colombia with relative ease.
A victory would not only make Argentina the second team in international football history to win a World Cup sandwiched between two continental titles, after Spain's achievements in 2008, 2010, and 2012, but it would also give them a record-breaking 16th Copa America title, surpassing their current shared record of 15 with Uruguay.
However, Colombia enters the highly anticipated match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with an impressive unbeaten run of 28 games, a national record. They have arguably faced a more challenging path to the final, having overcome Uruguay 1-0 in the semi-finals despite being reduced to ten men for the entire second half.
The final promises to be a perfect conclusion to the tournament, with the two best teams competing for the title in front of what is expected to be a passionate and lively crowd, given the significant presence of both Argentinian and Colombian communities in Miami.
While Argentina, ranked number one in the world by FIFA and boasting a well-established team, are the favourites, the match is expected to be closely contested.
"Scaloni knows them all by heart. Argentina today have a solidity that is foolproof and they have the added bonus of having the best player in the world, which is why they are the big favourites," said former Chile and Inter Milan striker Ivan Zamorano, who is covering the tournament is a television pundit.
But former Colombia star midfielder Carlos Valderrama believes a surprise could be on the cards.
"I see Colombia winning on Sunday," he told AFP, "We have a great team to dream about.
"I am optimistic about the national team, because of the process and the results they have been getting, and also because of the way they are playing.
"The team is unbeaten, is playing well in the Copa, with James (Rodriguez) as the best player in the tournament, so we can dream of being champions because we have a great team," he added.
Carlos Valderrama, a former Colombian midfield maestro, thinks an unexpected outcome might be in store.
Despite never fully meeting expectations at the club level, Rodriguez, who captivated the world with his 2014 World Cup performances in Brazil, is now playing some of his best football for his country at the age of 34.
Colombia's only Copa America victory was in 2001.
For Argentina, there is a sentimental aspect to Sunday's match, as it will also serve as a farewell to the national team for Angel Di Maria, who is 36 years old.
"I'm not ready for my last game with the national team, but it's time," he said this week.
"A thousand things can happen, but I think that whatever happens I can go out on a high note. I've done everything to be able to leave through that door," added the Benfica midfielder.
Nicolas Otamendi's future with the team is uncertain, as he may also leave. However, it is unclear if this will be Messi's final tournament, considering he will be 39 years old when the 2026 World Cup takes place.
"I'm living it like everything else in recent times: enjoying it very much and being aware, like Fideo (Di Maria) and Ota (Otamendi), that these are the last battles," the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner said after the semi-final win.
CONMEBOL, the tournament organizers, are hopeful that the conflicts will be limited to the football pitch, in contrast to the events that unfolded in Charlotte.
The conclusion of the game between Colombia and Uruguay was marred by violent altercations among fans, with Uruguayan players entering the crowd and participating in the brawls.
"We want to reaffirm and warn that no action will be tolerated that tarnishes this global football celebration," CONMEBOL said in a statement on Thursday.
These incidents have cast a shadow over the tournament, which is being regarded as a trial run for the venues that will host matches during the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Although Charlotte is not a designated host city for the 2026 World Cup, Miami is set to host seven games, including a quarter-final and the third-place match.
English (US) ·