The South American scuffle between Brazil and Argentina was unlike any other Copa America final. The picture of Lionel Messiโs teary eyes after constant heartbreaks still vibrates in the hearts of Albiceleste supporters while Neymarโs Brazil understands how the South American crown feels.
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Argentina and Angel Di Maria drew first-blood in the fierce battle as the ostentatious winger attempted a glorious chip to beat the Brazilian keeper, shaking Titeโs tactics. Chances came hard and fast as Brazil couldnโt establish their authority in the first half.
The Brazilian superiority was thrown out of the window by Argentinaโs intelligence as La Albiceleste earned a nervy 1-0 advantage at the break. Brazil constantly knocked on Argentinaโs door with Richarlison almost scoring the goal before an offside call thrashed their early celebrations. A disciplined defensive outing for Lionel Scaloniโs army ensured that Argentina shut-shop as Brazil failed to convert their galaxy of chances.
ยกARGENTINA CAMPEรN!๐ฆ๐ท๐
La selecciรณn argentina volviรณ a conquistar y hacer vibrar el continente tras 28 aรฑos, ante su clรกsico rival en el mรญtico Maracanรก ๐๏ธ. ยกLa espera terminรณ! ยกFelicitaciones @Argentina , actual campeรณn de la CONMEBOL Copa Amรฉrica 2021!๐๐#VibraElContinente pic.twitter.com/YPlk8CgHJX
— Copa Amรฉrica (@CopaAmerica) July 11, 2021
As Argentina lifted their captain into the night sky the world stood up to clap their hands for the Greatest Of All Time, who once again silenced the world with his Copa America performance.
DI MARIA’S MAGIC
Argentina and Brazil both battled hard to trouble the opposition defenders. With Neymarโs and Messiโs friendship and rivalry clouding the prestigious final, the world wondered who would conquer the throne of South America. La Albiceleste were the first outfit to break the shackles in Brazil as Paris Saint Germainโs right-winger Angel Di Maria gracefully put Argentina ahead. Rodrigo De Paul was given acres of space as he darted towards the half-line before playing a jaw-dropping aerial ball to a steaming Di Maria.
#CopaAmรฉrica ๐
ยกTREMENDA DEFINICIรN! รngel Di Marรญa recibiรณ el pase de Rodrigo De Paul y la tirรณ por arriba de Ederson para el 1-0 de @Argentina
๐ฆ๐ท Argentina ๐ Brasil ๐ง๐ท#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/OuFUmqipVA
— Copa Amรฉrica (@CopaAmerica) July 11, 2021
Atletico Madridโs Renan Lodi earned the first bite at the cherry but missed miserably as the PSGโs Argentine veteran comfortably brought the ball under his spell, chipping Manchester Cityโs record-signing Ederson Moraes to thunder the ball into Brazilโs net. The net rattled as Argentinaโs bench, spectators, and players erupted in elation. The pieces were falling perfectly for Argentina as all the team talks by Lionel Scaloni had reaped results. It wasnโt the first time that the flamboyance of Di Maria had left the world in awe.
๐ #CopaAmรฉrica
๐ฃ Volvamos a gritar con Angelito โฝ
A 4โฃ5โฃ minutos del sueรฑo sudamericano, ยกvamos @Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท! ๐ pic.twitter.com/T0NzHKEApX
— Selecciรณn Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท (@Argentina) July 11, 2021
The reckoning force behind Argentinaโs glittering second-half display in the quarter-finals, Lionel Scaloniโs trump card had worked wonders in the biggest South American brawl. The two teams headed towards the tunnel with Argentina leading Brazil 1-0 as 45 minutes separated a hungry Lionel Messi and his first international trophy.
NO BRAZILIAN SAMBA IN MARACANA
Scaloni and his Argentina battalion were well aware of the fact that a nervy lead against a star-studded Selecao never guaranteed silverware. But to their happiness, the rival protagonist had been silenced in the first half. Neymar, the fulcrum of Brazilโs goal-scoring activities, rarely weaved the magic heโs synonymous with. While his club counterpart, Di Maria already laid the foundation of an Argentine triumph. Lionel Scaloniโs park-the-bus tactic had been exposed throughout the South American summer and Titeโs introduction of Roberto Firmino after the interval clarified Brazilโs blueprints for the final.
Substituiรงรฃo na #SeleรงรฃoBrasileira!
๐ง๐ท 0x1 ๐ฆ๐ท | #BRAxARG #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/DarhV2Do4E
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) July 11, 2021
The tactic almost worked instantly as Evertonโs poacher Richarlison smashed the ball into Emiliano Martinezโs goal. Argentine centre-back replicated Lodi as his unfortunate mistake opened up the floodgates for Richarlison who didnโt need a second invitation to score. But the refereeโs late offside flag saved Argentinaโs boat from sinking.
Sร A VITรRIA INTERESSA๐ง๐ท#VibraOContinente #CopaAmรฉrica pic.twitter.com/XwU7kGdmin
— Copa Amรฉrica (@CopaAmerica) July 11, 2021
Replays confirmed that the official was correct as Richarlison slipped in behind the last defender a little too early. But the Brazilian attack was just a trailer of what the Argentine defenders were in store for. And after the offside shout, the yellow-army didnโt look back as they created a galaxy of attacks.
THE WAIT IS OVER!
After 90 minutes of a mouth-watering battle in Brazil, the 47th instalment of Copa America had a winner in Argentina. Rodrigo De Paulโs and Angel Di Mariaโs sublime connection landed the South American silverware in Argentina after 1993. After a hard-fought summer of football, the heartbreaks turned into jubilation while the tears remained constant. Argentinaโs disciplined defence led by towering defender Nicolas Otamendi rarely gave the Selecao a second to perform their samba.
Gritemos fuerte y unidos…
๐ ๐ฆ๐ท ๐ฅ ยกยกยกSOMOS CAMPEONES!!! ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐ท ๐ pic.twitter.com/i8aiWz8slt
— Selecciรณn Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท (@Argentina) July 11, 2021
Lionel Messiโs bleeding foot, Emiliano Martinezโs penalty heroics, Papu Gomezโs knack of racking up goals, the protagonistโs in Argentinaโs fairytale had no end. Angel Di Mariaโs first-half wizardry gave Argentina a sneaky advantage but Albicelesteโs backline shut the doors completely. The South-American brawl finished with Argentina conquering their 15th title and Lionel Messi finally winning an international trophy. The Man-of-The-Tournament shut down his haters in the perfect way as Messiโs glorious comeback was wrapped up with a cheeky smile, a billion celebrations, and a glorious Copa America title.