Argentina-Colombia is the Copa América closing we deserve

The Copa America closing is right here, and after three weeks of bonkers soccer, the 2 finest groups within the event are left standing. Argentina and Colombia will take the sphere earlier than a bought out Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday night time with one purpose in thoughts: carry the Copa America trophy as champions.

The best way to watch

Argentina vs. Colombia

Location: Arduous Rock Stadium, Miami

Kick-off time: 8:00pm Jap, 5:00pm Pacific

Accessible TV: Fox (English), Univision (Spanish), TUDN (Spanish)

Accessible streaming: Fox Sports activities (English), Vix (Spanish), FuboTV (Free Trial)

Picture by KENA BETANCUR/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

How did Argentina get right here?

Argentina entered the event because the reigning champions and reigning World Cup champions, and with Lionel Messi because the captain, the group had the most important goal geared toward them. As reigning champions, they opened the event towards Canada on July 20.

Profitable that match whereas trying considerably shaky within the course of, we noticed a brand new type of Argentina start to emerge. They have been capable of get wins towards Chile and Peru as nicely within the group stage, rising with an ideal 3-0-0 file. Whereas they didn’t concede a purpose within the group stage, the soccer was a bit rockier than their followers are used to seeing.

The message was fairly clear: outcomes matter greater than flashiness.

Picture by Elsa/Getty Pictures

They’ve been capable of win matches simply, and so they’ve additionally needed to powerful out some wins. They beat Ecuador within the quarterfinals on penalties. Argentina additionally needed to overcome Lionel Messi lacking the primary penalty of the shootout, however Emi Martinez — among the finest goalkeepers on the planet — was capable of assist Argentina via to the semifinals. There, it was a better win towards Canada than we noticed within the opener. They’re hoping to proceed the Copa América development we’ve seen since 1979:

How did Colombia get right here?

Colombia entered the event as the most popular group on the planet, with their final loss coming in February 2022. That streak hasn’t modified, as they’d two wins and a attract Group D play to win the group over Brazil. They defeated Costa Rica and Paraguay and seemed glorious doing it earlier than they pulled a 1-1 draw towards Brazil within the group stage finale.

That arrange Colombia for a quarterfinal towards Panama, the place they completely had their finest show of the event. They received 5-0, trying like one of the best group on the planet within the course of. Then, it was Uruguay within the semifinals, who had knocked off Brazil within the quarters. The match was backwards and forwards, with Colombia getting the thirty ninth minute purpose from Jefferson Lerma off a James Rodriguez nook after which having to fend off La Celeste with 10 males after a second yellow to Daniel Munoz within the first minute of first half stoppage time.

Picture by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

By some means, they have been capable of grind it out, regardless of Uruguay having a ton of scoring alternatives within the second half with the person benefit. The unbeaten streak stays intact, and now they get to place it on the road within the hopes of dethroning the champions and hoisting the trophy for the primary time in 23 years.

Each fanbases have dominated this event.

Whereas there have been many issues over the dearth of followers who needed to pay a number of hundred {dollars} in tickets to attend most of the Copa America matches, there are two fanbases that didn’t care about any of that: Colombia and Argentina. Each groups’ followers have dominated stadiums throughout the USA all through the event, promoting out a number of matches and being large boosts to their groups with their boisterous environment. If Arduous Rock Stadium might maintain 150,000 individuals, it nonetheless wouldn’t be sufficient to carry all of the followers of Colombia and Argentina who’ve packed staidums on their very own the previous three weeks. Count on this crowd to be cut up, with the yellow of Colombia poking via the albiceleste of Argentina and creating an epic environment appropriate for a closing.

Picture by Robin Alam/ISI Pictures/Getty Pictures

Finally, the principle winner of this closing is not going to be both group. Will probably be soccer followers around the globe who’re positive to see a stunning show of soccer between the 2 finest groups at this event. We’ll have pageantry, we’ll have a Shakira efficiency, and we’ll have some glorious soccer between two groups on the high of their recreation proper now. Will Argentina maintain onto the title, or will The Streak proceed for Colombia, permitting them to have a good time as Copa America champions. Tune in Sunday night time to search out out.

Prediction: That is the primary match of the event the place additional time is an possibility, and it’ll come to that. This will likely be an epic closing, with Colombia profitable 3-2 after additional time with a late purpose to make them champions.