It’ll be no issue for neutral fans, though, who were treated to some scintillating play from both sides in the group-stage game, and will once again get to see South America’s two most exciting teams battle it out. Being a tournament final, this one may be a more staid encounter than the frenetic meeting we saw when the teams met in California almost three weeks ago, but you can still expect to see some outstanding technical soccer played out over a tactically intriguing battle.
More Messi magic?
You didn’t think a mere knee in the back would stop Lionel Messi from being Lionel Messi, did you? The Barcelona superstar has re-asserted his status as one of the all-time greats with a five-goal, four-assist performance in the Copa America, capped off by his stunning free kick in Argentina’s 4-0 semifinal rout of the United States.
Chile must now come up with a plan to contain La Pulga, who has been given free reign to pop up anywhere on the field and wreak his unique brand of havoc. Luckily for La Roja, they will be welcoming back tenacious Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal, who was suspended for their semifinal win over Colombia. Vidal’s energy and fresh legs should be a big element for any plan to stop Messi, but the reality is that only an outstanding collective effort from the whole team is likely to hold up the four-time Ballon d’Or winner. And even if that happens, Chile will still have to contend with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero – only the leading scorer in Serie A last season and one of the best forwards in the Premier League.
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