Copa America Finals - Brazil vs Argentina 0-1

 

Lionel Messi, finally won his 1st major football tournament for his country, as Argentina overcame hosts Brazil by a slender one goal margin, in the finals of Copa America 2021, at the famous Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, ending Argentina's 28 year long wait for a major trophy. It was also handed Brazil, their first competitive international defeat since the loss to Belgium in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2018. The victory was Argentina's 15th Copa America triumph, drawing level with Uruguay as the all - time leading winners of this coveted trophy. 

The winning goal came in the 22nd minute of the game, when De Paul collected the ball midfield & after advancing into the Brazil half, lifted a sublime pass over the defenders, as the usually reliable Renan Lodi stretched out, but failed to intercept, as the ball landed in the path of onrushing Di Maria, & the wing midfielder controlled with a deft first touch & lobbed the ball beyond the reach of Brazilian keeper Ederson into the far corner of the net. It was sloppy defending by Lodi, & a brilliant lob by Di Maria, as Argentina took the vital lead. Brazil were rather apprehensive in the 1st half, & their efforts were quashed by the determined Albiceleste defense in the final third. 

In the 2nd half, Brazil started with renewed vigor, as Neymar & co stormed the Argentinian box. In the 52 minute, Richarlison fired the ball into the net, from a Paqueta pass, but the Selecao celebrations were cut short by a delayed offside flag. More efforts continued, as Brazil piled pressure, but the big, burly Emi Martinez under the bar, came up with some brilliant saves, to keep the hosts away. With five forwards pressed into attack, it was a fine spectacle of Latino football, with one trying desperately for the equaliser & the other dourly defending. While, no goals resulted, the game did become rusty & clumsy, as both sides were involved in fouls & hold up of play. In the dying minutes of the game, Messi had a golden opportunity to score inside the box, with only the keeper to beat, but somehow Ederson scrambled to gather the ball from the SuperStar's feet. 6 minutes of added time, did not yield any further goals, as Lionel Messi & the men in Blue White sprawled on the ground in relief & ecstasy. Scaloni's men had defeated Tite's Brazil. While, the match really did not touch great heights, & both Messi & Neymar were below their par performance, both the rivals, were in praise of each other. Messi was voted the Player of the Tournament, after his four goals & five assists in the competition.