Argentina-Colombia is the Copa América ultimate we deserve

The Copa America ultimate is right here, and after three weeks of bonkers soccer, the 2 finest groups within the match are left standing. Argentina and Colombia will take the sector earlier than a offered out Exhausting Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday evening with one aim in thoughts: raise the Copa America trophy as champions.

The right way to watch

Argentina vs. Colombia

Location: Exhausting Rock Stadium, Miami

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

Out there TV: Fox (English), Univision (Spanish), TUDN (Spanish)

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

Picture by KENA BETANCUR/AFP through Getty Photographs

How did Argentina get right here?

Argentina entered the match because the reigning champions and reigning World Cup champions, and with Lionel Messi because the captain, the staff had the most important goal aimed toward them. As reigning champions, they opened the match 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 had been capable of get wins towards Chile and Peru as properly within the group stage, rising with an ideal 3-0-0 file. Whereas they didn’t concede a aim 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 Photographs

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 — probably the greatest goalkeepers on this planet — was capable of assist Argentina by way of 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 pattern we’ve seen since 1979:

How did Colombia get right here?

Colombia entered the match as the most popular staff on this 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 appeared wonderful 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 match. They gained 5-0, trying like one of the best staff on this 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 aim 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 through Getty Photographs

By some means, they had 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 match.

Whereas there have been many issues over the shortage of followers who wished to pay a number of hundred {dollars} in tickets to attend lots 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 US all through the match, promoting out a number of matches and being enormous boosts to their groups with their boisterous ambiance. If Exhausting Rock Stadium may maintain 150,000 folks, 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. Anticipate this crowd to be break up, with the yellow of Colombia poking by way of the albiceleste of Argentina and creating an epic ambiance appropriate for a ultimate.

Picture by Robin Alam/ISI Pictures/Getty Photographs

Finally, the principle winner of this ultimate won’t be both staff. Will probably be soccer followers around the globe who’re certain to see a blinding show of soccer between the 2 finest groups at this match. We’ll have pageantry, we’ll have a Shakira efficiency, and we’ll have some wonderful soccer between two groups on the prime of their sport 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 evening to seek out out.

Prediction: That is the primary match of the match the place further time is an possibility, and it’ll come to that. This shall be an epic ultimate, with Colombia profitable 3-2 after further time with a late aim to make them champions.