A dream ‘Argentina vs Brazil’ final is on the cards. Argentina will meet Brazil in the 2021 Copa America final as Lionel Messi’s team has beaten Colombia on penalties. Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three penalty shoot-out spot-kicks to give his side 3-2 victory over Colombia on July 6 following a 1-1 draw.
Argentina had taken the lead after six minutes through Lautaro Martinez but Luis Diaz equalised for Colombia after the hour. Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez all scored from the spot to put Argentina through to the final. Goalkeeper Martinez saved the shots taken by Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona in the shootout. Colombia will play in the third-place playoff against Peru on Friday. Hosts Brazil had beaten Peru 1-0 in the first semi-final on July 5. Brazilian star forward Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior will line up in a dream final against Messi. The final will take place at Rio de Janeiro’s historic Maracanã stadium on July 10. Brazil will be the favorite, based on its status as host and based on the talent it has on paper. Yet for all the focus on what Messi hasn’t won for his country, it’s only prudent to point out that Neymar hasn’t technically delivered a major trophy to his, either.
