Host nation Chile face tournament favourites Argentina in the Copa America final on Saturday in Santiago. Chile are looking for their first ever Copa America triumph while Argentina are targeting their 15th success. Chile have defeated Argentina just once in the last 14 direct encounters. The most recent match between the two was in 2014, during the World Cup qualifying campaign, and Argentina won it 2-1 with goals from Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain. Both sides are undefeated since last year's World Cup.
Chile have never won a major tournament before but they have come close to winning the Copa America on four occasions, when they managed to reach the final. The most recent one was all the way back in 1987 though. In this year's tournament they have scored 13 goals in five games, more than any of the other teams, and also have the tournament goalscorer in Eduardo Vargas, who bagged four goals.
Argentina were not impressive in the group stage, then barely squeezed past Colombia on penalties in the quarter-finals but then turned on the style against Paraguay to secure a convincing 6-1 victory. They have good memories of the tournaments hosted in Chile, they have reached the final every time, won four and lost two. They need a success quite badly as their last major trophy was the Copa that they won in 1993 in Ecuador.
Probable line-ups:
Chile: Bravo - Isla, Medel, Rojas, Jara - Diaz, Aranguiz, Vidal - Valdivia - Sanchez, Vargas
Argentina: Romero - Zabaleta, Demichelis, Otamendi, Rojo - Biglia, Mascherano, Pastore - Messi, Aguero, Di Maria
My prediction: Argentina to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Chile win - 3.80 Draw - 3.50 Argentina win - 2.10
Shumar4life
8 years ago
This was on outstanding match and I am really glad to see that Chille won it, despite the fact that Argentina also deserved this title. I believe that they have some kind of God's payback because Maradona's handball goal against England. Until then they didn't win it any single match. Now they were close but still nothing
This was on outstanding match and I am really glad to see that Chille won it, despite the fact that Argentina also deserved this title. I believe that they have some kind of God's payback because Maradona's handball goal against England. Until then they didn't win it any single match. Now they were close but still nothing
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seculla
8 years ago
It was a great match, and I must say that I've expected from Chile to win the title. From the beginning they were most motivated and started this Copa America very furious, and that was not a case with Brazil and Argentina. Maybe I was a little "disappointed" with goalless draw, but anyway it was an interesting match and...
It was a great match, and I must say that I've expected from Chile to win the title. From the beginning they were most motivated and started this Copa America very furious, and that was not a case with Brazil and Argentina. Maybe I was a little "disappointed" with goalless draw, but anyway it was an interesting match and Chile deserved to win this match.
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advoghado
8 years ago
Both teams deserve this, in my opinion the two teams that played the best soccer so far. The selection of Chile has evolved after the World Cup, and the Sampaolli coach is very good, Argentina did not played well, only against Paraguay, and I think Argentina will have a lot of pressure in the game and the fans.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
This will be very interesting match. Two sides with great players and great coaches will fight against each other for trophy. Argentina is in great shape, they scored lot of goals in semifinals and they will try to do same in the final. On the other side, Chile will try to win trophy in front of their crowd. My prediction...
This will be very interesting match. Two sides with great players and great coaches will fight against each other for trophy. Argentina is in great shape, they scored lot of goals in semifinals and they will try to do same in the final. On the other side, Chile will try to win trophy in front of their crowd. My prediction for this game is 1-1 draw and Argentina will win after extra time.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
I won't even try to predict who will win here and what will happened. I only know that this will be a great game and I expect a lot of goals. Both teams are better in attack and they don't know to defend. Messi must be on his highest level if Argentina want to win this trophy and that is only reason why I think that Argentina...
I won't even try to predict who will win here and what will happened. I only know that this will be a great game and I expect a lot of goals. Both teams are better in attack and they don't know to defend. Messi must be on his highest level if Argentina want to win this trophy and that is only reason why I think that Argentina is closer to win here.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Maybe the two most expected teams have reaching the final game of the Copa America, and I think that is a promise for a great match. Argentina score six at the semi final but I think it wont be so easy for them in this game against the host team of the tournament. I think it could be anyone's game and both team will have...
Maybe the two most expected teams have reaching the final game of the Copa America, and I think that is a promise for a great match. Argentina score six at the semi final but I think it wont be so easy for them in this game against the host team of the tournament. I think it could be anyone's game and both team will have their chances. Honestly I don't have an idea how this game is going to finish but bearing in mind the fact that Chile had play at four finals and loose all of them, I think that it's about time for the luck to be on their side.
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