This Sunday, in Miami, trans-Andean producers and coffee growers play for the continental title. Both make the difference in the fields, both in the opponent’s and in his own (few goals conceded). If Lorenzo’s team has an inspired James Rodríguez, Scaloni does not rely solely on the work of Leo Messi.
This Sunday will be a special day, as two finals will hold the attention of football fans. First, the European Cup is defined, between Spain and England. And the main course will be the Copa America final. Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium will host the duel between Argentina and Colombia (8:00 p.m. Chile time). This is an unprecedented decisive duel. While the transandines will want to become the greatest winners of the continental title (they are so far tied with Uruguay, with 15), Coffee growers are aiming to obtain their second star, after the one obtained 23 years ago in their territory.
On the more “friendly” side, the Albiceleste confirmed its status as favorite to reach a new final, the seventh in 10 years, eliminating Ecuador and Canada from the race. Meanwhile, in the most complex sector of the knockout phase, the Caribbean defeated Uruguay, after beating Panama. A promise of a great match, in a totally Latin environment, in Florida. The face-to-face of the two paintings reveals more similarities than expected, although with nuances of their styles.
Their first common point is that They are decisive in the fields, both at the opponent’s and at home. Argentina has offensive firepower, with eight goals in five games. But it has also consolidated a significant defensive strength. He only has one goal against him scored by Ecuador in the quarter-finals. In Colombia’s case, this was 12 goals in five appearances and only two conceded (Paraguay and Brazil). While “Dibu” Martínez has four undefeated hurdles, Camilo Vargas has three.
The 2024 Cup finalists have stable bases within their teams, although with some differences. Lionel Scaloni is able to adapt depending on the opponent in service. He already did it at the World Cup in Qatar and now also in the USA. If he sees that he has to switch to the sides, he does it. If he believes that Angel Di Maria should go to the bench, to the detriment of Nicolás González (one of the coach’s fetishes) also. Among those at the top, the only one who is immovable (except in cases of force majeure) is Leo Messi. Scaloni judged Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez offensively, because together they have not worked. The Transandinos record 5.8 shots on goal per game, 60.2% possession and 77.4% successful passes in the opposing half, according to Sofascore.
For his part, Nestor Lorenzo seemed to be returning to the brilliant Colombian team. Nominally, the design is a 4-2-3-1, a structure that has James Rodriguez by being the organizer. The captain, to whom the Argentine coach (former assistant of José Pekerman) has given a place of choice, is located behind the center forward (Jhon Córdoba won the position against Rafael Santos Borré), with Luis Diaz charges well on the left. The only variations are on the left back (Mojica or Machado) and the Jefferson Lerma duo in midfield (Richard Ríos appeared). The Colombian national team has 4.6 shots on goal per game, 54% possession and 71.8% successful passes in the opponent’s half.
Lorenzo has the most decisive footballer in the Copa América: James Rodriguez. Of Colombia’s 12 goals, the former Real Madrid player participated in seven: one goal and six assists. The midfielder’s left foot is sharp, showing the best of his repertoire, reminiscent of what he did at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He is one of the key players in the final. In Argentina, all the spotlight is on Messi, even more so in the United States. However, La Pulga’s performance was not the most decisive. The Albiceleste has a more choral cast, which ends up being a merit of the coach and the staff for not depending too much on what the number 10 can do. The person who has participated in the most goals in Argentina is Lautaro Martínez, with four goals.
The Argentines and Colombians will put on the Miami field the unbeaten lengths that they have built (one more than the other by the way). That of the coffee growers is historic. With the victory against Uruguay on Wednesday night, they have accumulated 28 games without defeat: 22 wins and six draws. They have not lost since February 1, 2022, 1-0 against the Albiceleste, in the Qualifiers for Qatar. In the case of the world champions, they have gone 10 games without defeat, with nine wins and one draw. Their last defeat was on November 16, 2023, 0-2 against Bielsa’s Uruguay at La Bombonera, for the Qualifiers.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
