Argentina head into Saturday's Copa America final seeking their first major silverware in 22 years while hosts Chile aim to end a century-long jinx by winning the trophy for the first time.
The two Andean neighbours meet in Santiago's national stadium in a classic South American encounter steeped in history and rivalry.
These were two of the four founding nations of the South American Championship as it was first known back in 1916. Argentina thumped Chile 6-1 at that tournament, setting the tone for a century of Chilean pain.
Of their 36 competitive clashes since then, the Chileans have won just one - a World Cup qualifier in Santiago in 2008. They have never beaten Argentina at the Copa America in 24 attempts.
Argentina have lifted the trophy 14 times and if they win on Saturday will draw level with Uruguayas the most successful side in the tournament's history.
Chile, in their 36 previous attempts to win the trophy, have come closest when they finished as runners-up four times.
For Argentina's inspirational playmaker Lionel Messi, this is a golden opportunity to reproduce his success at club level for his country. His only previous titles with Argentina were at under-20 and Olympic level.
For his team as a whole, Saturday's match is a chance to make up for last year's World Cup final defeat by Germany and two consecutive Copa America final defeats at the hands of Brazil in 2004 and 2007.
"In the space of less than a year these guys are going to play their second final of a major tournament," Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said after his side destroyed Paraguay 6-1 in the semifinals.
"This is not the World Cup but even so, it's the second most important tournament there is for us in this part of the world."
Argentina are at pretty much full strength while Chile are still mulling how to replace centre-back Gonzalo Jara, suspended for his now infamous gesture in the quarterfinals when he was caught on camera sticking his finger up an opponent's backside.
Jose Rojas replaced Jara in their semifinal against Peru, a 2-1 win, but was far from convincing and coach Jorge Sampaoli might reshuffle his backline again.
The match is a clash between the two highest-scoring sides in the competition - Chile found the back of the net 13 times on their way to the final while Argentina bagged 10.
Messi has yet to score in open play but if he pulls the strings like he did against the Paraguayans that will not concern his coach.
"If he makes three assists and they all end up as goals that's fine," Martino said. "He doesn't need to be the top scorer in the team to be happy."
Vargas could be key for Chile
If Chile are to beat Argentina in the Copa America final they might need something special from striker Eduardo Vargas, who has had a restless club career but who thrives when he pulls on his country's red shirt.
Still only 25, Vargas has played club football in Chile, Brazil, Spain, Italy and England.
He spent last season at Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League but, as with previous spells at Valencia and Napoli, failed to make an impact, scoring three times in 21 league matches.
For his national side, it is a different story.
He has scored 22 goals in 47 appearances, including both strikes in a 2-1 victory over Peru in the semifinals of the Copa.
His second effort was a contender for goal of the tournament.
Vargas picked up the ball midway inside the Peruvian half and took a couple of touches before blasting a superb curling shot into the back of the net with the outside of his boot.
"I liked the second one," he said. "The day before yesterday I was practising shots from outside the area and they all ended up in the net. That gave me confidence today, I hit it and it ended up as a goal."
Vargas's brace took him to joint sixth place among Chile's all-time top scorers – a list topped by Marcelo Salas and Ivan Zamorano, the country's two greatest strikers of this century.
At just under one goal every two games, his strike-rate is comparable with both of them.
Once the Copa ends, Vargas is due to head back to Napoli unless he is farmed out to another club.
But before that, he was one more chance to make his mark for Chile, who are seeking their first Copa America title on Saturday.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário