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On Sunday evening, or the early hours of Monday in the UK, world champions Argentina are attempting to win their third successive major international tournament as they face an extremely impressive Colombian side in Miami in the final of the 2024 Copa America.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 15th July, 2024 - UK – 1:00am / Sunday 14th July, 2024 - US ET – 8:00pm / US PT – 5:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Fox Sports & TUDN
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue & ViX
ARGENTINA PREVIEW: GOING FOR THREE OUT OF THREE
Lionel Scaloni took charge of a national team that had been consistently underperforming for decades but the former West Ham United defender has simply cultivated a culture of success with this side. In 2021, they won the Copa America in Brazil before winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and now they are a game away from making it three-in-a-row.
Their captain, the incomparable Lionel Messi, notched his first goal of the tournament in midweek as Argentina defeated Canada by two goals to nil for the second time in just a few weeks after beginning their campaign with the same result. Penalties were needed to edge past Ecuador in the quarter-finals but this team just managed to find a way.
COLOMBIA PREVIEW: RECREATING 2001
Under the management of Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia have moved into a bracket whereby they could easily be described as one of, if not the, current best team in international football. Having only ever won one major tournament, the 2001 Copa America, the Colombians head into the final after a magnificent stretch of form.
In February 2022, they lost 1-0 to eventual FIFA World Cup winners Argentina in CONMEBOL qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Since then, in 28 matches, they have gone unbeaten and head into the final on the back of a fiery contest against a similarly improved an in-form Uruguay side that they defeated by a goal to nil, despite being down to ten men.
ARGENTINA TEAM NEWS: THE FINAL BALANCE
Mid-way through the tournament, Argentina were eventually compelled to ensure that Lautaro Martinez started starting. That led to former key man Angel Di Maria, who is set to retire from international football at the end of this tournament, dropping out of the starting eleven in order to sure up the midfield. However, Lautaro Martinez dropped out for the semi-final with Lionel Scaloni preferring Di Maria in a system and line-up almost identical to what won the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni’s success has been based around getting competence and functionality to build a foundation for arguably the greatest footballer of all time, Leo Messi. Messi has not been at his efficient best in this campaign but remains the key cog in their eleven.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Gonzalo Montiel, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Julian Alvarez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COLOMBIA TEAM NEWS: DANIEL MUNOZ OUT
Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz has had an excellent six months or so for both club and country but the right-back will be unavailable for the final after he was sent off against Uruguay the other day. His replacement is expected to be former Atletico Madrid defender Santiago Arias.
Jefferson Lerma returned from suspension to score the decisive and winning goal in that semi-final and Daniel Munoz’ club teammate will be essential, once again, to any Colombian success. Jefferson Lerma’s midfield partner, Richard Rios, is a slight injury doubt, though, and did have to be replaced by Mateus Uribe after 61 minutes against the Uruguayans.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Camilo Vargas; Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Carlos Cuesta, Johan Mojica; Richard Rios, Jefferson Lerma; Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz; Jhon Cordoba
UNAVAILABLE: Daniel Munoz (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Richard Rios (Injured)
ARGENTINA VS COLOMBIA PREDICTION
There is a case to be made that extra-time and penalties feel inevitable for this one. Argentina have been magnificent over the last few years, and even when they haven’t played well they have found a way. Not playing well and trying to discover the ideal eleven has been the story of this tournament. That, whilst a vital ingredient for success, will give Colombia hope that their well grooved, in-form current winning machine can topple the Argentinians. A draw after 90 minutes seems likely but given the value to be had in a team that is on a 28-match unbeaten run of form, favouring Colombia would also be a good bet.
ARGENTINA VS COLOMBIA TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – COLOMBIA TO WIN OR DRAW