Argentina 1-0 Brazil
Argentina’s guardian Angel has finally answered their prayers! La Albiceleste beat fierce rivals Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa America final thanks to Angel Di Maria’s first-half goal to win their first title in 28 years.
The marquee matchup between superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar was the main focus leading up to the final, but it was Neymar’s PSG teammate Di Maria who stole the spotlight as he scored the winning goal that gave Messi his much-awaited first major title for his country.
The Copa America 2021 betting odds had Brazil as slight favourites due to home advantage, but they could not make it count as Neymar and co. were unable to successfully defend their title.
Highlights of the game
While Brazil named an unchanged lineup from the one that started in their 1-0 semi-final win over Peru, Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni made five changes to his first XI, the biggest one being Angel Di Maria for Nicolas Gonzalez.
That decision would prove to be an inspired change as the veteran would go on to score the game’s opening goal for Argentina after just 22 minutes.
Atletico Madrid-bound Rodrigo De Paul was given acres of space to pick out a pass from inside his own half, and he provided the perfect one to Di Maria, who had gotten in behind the Brazil defence. Left-back Renan Lodi was unable to cut off the pass, which allowed Di Maria to control the ball and coolly chip it over the head of the onrushing Ederson.
Di Maria had a chance to double his tally just before the half-hour mark, but his goal-bound shot from the edge of the box was blocked by a Brazil defender and cleared away before Lautaro Martinez could pounce.
Meanwhile, Brazil struggled to threaten Argentina’s goal for most of the half even as they went behind. Neymar had a look at a free kick from a decent spot, but he smashed his shot straight at the Argentine wall.
Although, they finally began to put a bit more pressure near the end of the half. Richarlison sent in a dangerous cross that had to be cleared for a corner. And on the ensuing corner, Thiago Silva couldn’t quite direct his header on target.
Brazil brought on Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino for Fred after the break to help find an equaliser, and they thought they had gotten it on 52 minutes through their other Merseyside-based striker, Richarlison. However, the Everton forward was clearly offside so his goal did not count.
Richarlison again came close minutes later with a powerful shot from close range, but semi-final hero Emi Martinez had his near post well-covered.
Brazil brought on another forward in Gabriel Barbosa for two-time match-winner Lucas Paqueta, and he almost provided the late heroics three minutes from time, but Martinez made another fine save to deny the substitute.
With Brazil pushing so many bodies forward, Argentina almost caught them on a late counterattack. After starting the break himself, Messi got on the end of another fantastic through ball by De Paul, but the Argentina captain surprisingly squandered his great opportunity to seal the final.
However, that miss did not end up haunting Messi as Argentina hung on to claim that coveted Copa America crown.
Key statistics
The final statistics ended up favouring Brazil, who controlled 59 per cent of possession and had a 13-6 shot advantage as they tried to search for an equaliser for most of the match. However, they could not create many good opportunities as they still finished tied with Argentina with just two shots on target.
The much-hyped superstar duel between Messi and Neymar did not exactly deliver. Neymar finished with just two shots and Messi had a mere one. But Di Maria still provided some Copa America 2021 highlights in the final with his first goal for his country in three years.
Argentine have now moved into a tie with Uruguay for the most Copa America champions with 15. Meanwhile, Brazil also made history by failing to win a Copa on home soil for the first time in six stints as hosts.
What’s next?
With the Copa America coming to a close, SBOTOP shifts its focus from international tournaments back to domestic football, which will be returning in August.
However, South American internationals will return for more World Cup qualifiers in September, October, and November.
Brazil will have to wait to get their shot at a rematch against Argentina as they as scheduled to face each other on Nov. 16 in Buenos Aires.
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