Can Argentina Join Spain In THIS Elite List By Defeating Colombia In Copa America 2024 Final?
New Delhi: Lionel Messi’s Argentina are on the cusp of achieving a glorious feat in South American football by conquering three major international tournaments if they can beat Colombia in the Copa America 2024 final on Sunday (July 14). Led by Messi, Argentina won the Copa America title in 2021 and before lifting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. With these two major victories Messi proved everyone wrong who doubted him as an “international fraud”. They managed to reach the finals this weekend against Colombia with a relatively easier group.
If Argentina can manage to secure victory against Colombia, La Albiceleste will become the second team in international football history to win a World Cup with two continental titles. Spain are the only team so far to have won a FIFA World Cup (2010) and two continental titles (2008 and 2012) during their glorious run between 2008 and 2012. If Argentina manage to win the Copa America 2024, they will also surpass Uruguay (15) to a record-breaking 16 titles.
— CONMEBOL Copa América ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 12, 2024
On the other hand, Colombia enter the final clash at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami with an amazing unbeaten run of 28 games — a national record. They have faced challenging teams en route to the final as compared to Argentina, defeating Uruguay 1-0 in the semifinal, who were favorites to lift the title. The final game is going to be a perfect summary of the tournament, with two best teams fighting for the continental glory in front of passionate crowd, given the significant presence of both Argentinian and Colombian communities in Miami.
“Scaloni Knows them all by heart. Argentina today have a solidity that is foolproof and they have the added bonus having the best player in the world, Which is why they are the big favourites,” said former Chile and Inter Milan striker Ivan Zamorano, who is covering the competition as a television pundit.
¡Feliz cumpleaños, @jamesdrodriguez! pic.twitter.com/ClsHpBsyc9
— CONMEBOL Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 12, 2024
Former Colombia midfielder Carlos Valderrama feels Colombia’s win could be the surprise package. “I see Colombia winning on Sunday,” Valderrama told AFP. “I am optimistic about the national team, because the process and results they have been getting, and also because of the way they are plying,” he added.
“The team is unbeaten, is playing well in the Copa, with James Rodriguez as the best player in the tournament, so we can dream of being champions we have a great team,” Valderrama stated.
One for the ages. pic.twitter.com/EiA8O1iTvK
— CONMEBOL Copa América ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 11, 2024
However, it is not clear if this is going to be Messi’s last tournament, considering he will be 39 years old when the 2026 World Cup takes place. “I’m living it like everything else, enjoying it very much and being aware, like Fideo (Di Maria) and Ota (Otamendi) that these are last battles,” said Messi after winning the semifinal.