Watch the Copa America Final between Argentina And Chile Live from the Estadio Nacional in Santiago where both nations desperately look forward to end their lengthy trophy droughts.
Agrentina had previously tasted success in the tournament and lifted the trophy a few times in the past but since last 22 years they were unable to win the trophy. On the other side of the coin, Chile are eyeing towards their first ever Copa America title.
#Chile2015 had a bit for everyone. Here’s some of the quirkiest images from the tournament http://t.co/c7cjYBf3Og pic.twitter.com/O5X4kligmg
— Copa América 2015 (@ca2015_en) July 4, 2015
Who will win between #CHI v #ARG and how? Cast your vote on our LIVE Blog! #Chile2015 http://t.co/U5wkVsAEaY pic.twitter.com/AMaPX7fqpE — Copa América 2015 (@ca2015_en) July 4, 2015
Here are five reasons why #ARG can clinch #Chile2015 glory in today’s final against #CHI http://t.co/M0breSoe21 pic.twitter.com/ZHsBZVnUVZ
— Copa América 2015 (@ca2015_en) July 4, 2015
Argentina are high on confidence after thrashing the Paraguay side 6-1 in the semifinals. Messi did not score in the game but he was the chief architect behind setting up five goals for the team.
Chile has the tournament’s best offense with 13 goals in five matches. The defense hasn’t been as perfect, conceding five goals and will need to improve to keep out Argentina’s imposing array of scoring options.
Possible Team Lineups
It is anticipated that Argentina will stick to the same team lineup that thrashed the Paraguyan side 6-1 in the semi finals. Commanding the forward line will be Aguero with support from Di Mara, Pastore and Messi. Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia is expected to be seen in defensive midfield roles.
Chile will be missing Jara who was booked and is suspended for a minimum of 4 matches for his antiques in the match against Uruguay. Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez are the key players fot the team and would likely take charge of the forward line for Chile.
Argentina: Di Maria, Aguero, Messi, Pastore, Mascherano, Bigila, Rojo, Zabaleta, Demischelis, Otamendi, Caballero
Chile: Alexis, Vargas, Valdivia, Aranguiz, Vidal, Diaz, Mena, Silva, Medel, Isla, Bravo
Match Facts
This will be the first time Chile and Argentina have faced each other in a Copa America Final.
Chile have reached their third Copa America final: they lost against Paraguay in 1979 and against Uruguay in 1987.
Since the new format was introduced in 1993, this will be Argentina’s fourth final. They beat Mexico in 1993 but lost the other two against Brazil in 2004 (via penalty shootout) and 2007.
Overall, Chile have never beaten Argentina in a Copa America game, drawing five and losing 19 (the meeting in 1942 was suspended in the 41st minute and Argentina was rewarded a win).
Chile have lost nine of their last 10 Copa America meetings against Argentina, failing to score a goal in each of the last six.
On the other hand, the Albiceleste have found the net in 12 of the last 13 clashes against Chile in this competition, averaging 2.3 goals per game in the process.
Chile have scored only 12 goals in 24 previous meetings against Argentina in Copa America: a goal every two games on average.
These two nations have met seven times in Chile, with three wins for Argentina and four draws.
Neither of the two teams has been able to score more than a single goal in any of these seven meetings in Chile.
Chile have lost only one of their last nine Copa America games played as hosting nation, winning each of the last three.
Chile have found the net in each of their last 10 Copa America games – their longest run since 1941 (11 games).
Chile have won their last three games in this year’s competition – they’ve never won four in a row in a single edition.
Argentina have lost only one of their last 19 Copa America games (0-3 against Brazil in the 2007 final); they were also defeated in a penalty shootout by Brazil in the 2004 final and Uruguay in the 2011 quarter-final after a draw in regular time.
Argentina defeated Paraguay in the semi-final by a 6-1 scoreline: only Brazil (7-0 vs Peru in 1997) have scored more goals in a Copa America semi-final.
Of the four teams left in the competition, Chile and Argentina are the two with the most clean sheets so far (three apiece).
Both these sides enter the final unbeaten in this edition: Chile have recorded four wins and a draw, while Argentina have won three and drawn two.
Chile and Argentina have fired the most shots in this Copa America, 61 apiece (excluding blocked).
They also are the two teams with the highest possession rate in this edition: 70.43% Chile and 66.56% Argentina.
For the first time in the Copa America each of the two semi-finals saw a player scoring a brace: Edu Vargas vs Peru and Ángel Di María vs Paraguay.
In the semi-final against Paraguay, Lionel Messi became the first player to deliver three assists in a Copa America game over the last two editions (2011 and 2015).
Jorge Valdívia and Leo Messi have both delivered three assists in this Copa America, more than any other player.
However, the Chilean is one of the three players to have delivered at least an assist in two different games in this edition (the other two are Dani Alves and Ángel Di María).
Messi has also attempted more shots (17) and completed more dribbles (36) than any other player in this Copa America.
However, Arturo Vidal has had more shots on target than any other player (9).
Javier Mascherano (365) and Gary Medel (332) are the two players with the most passes attempted in this Copa America.
The next game will be Gary Medel’s and Alexis Sanchez’s 10th Copa America appearance – only Claudio Bravo (13) and Jorge Valdívia (11) have played more games so far in this competition among the Chile current squad.
Carlos Tévez has not found the net in any of his last 12 Copa America appearances (his last goal came against USA in 2007).
Match Predictions
For the final there are no clear favourites. Argentina looks a stronger team on paper with the likes of Messi, Aguero and Di Maria taking charge of the forward line but for Chile they have the huge home support and with talents like Alexis and Vidal on the side the game could go either way at any point of time.
Introspecting on the past records, Chile reached 4 Copa America Finals but never won it. Looking at the Argentina side one cannot expect the team with such big names to lose two back to back major finals. Messi and Company looked in great form as evident in the semi-final against Paraguay and banking on that it looks like a 2-1 victory for Argentina.