In just over an hour, the Euro final will begin, but only the true experts are thinking of something else: the outcome of the South American continental tournament, the Copa America. The same place where football still lives. Where boring teams simply by definition cannot play in the final. Where both teams bite each other and expose all their emotions. Where Darwin Nunes throws a chair at the fans after the match, and Amy Martinez flirts with the stands after another blow.
But what do we see in the final? Where is Brazil? Where is Uruguay? Colombia! They eliminated two of the main favourites for the Kopa and today they will go out to destroy the third. This text is about a spectacular and vibrant team that deserved the trophy. That is why it is worth supporting this team.
The Argentina – Colombia match broadcast in the Russian Federation is available in the Okko online cinema.
Reason 1. Colombia eliminated two favorites at once, to the point
While Argentina was handed a relatively easy draw, Colombia already eliminated Brazil in the group stage, a big bet to take second place or even miss the playoffs.
TEAM ARGENTINA
Photo: ISI Photos/Getty Images
Argentina’s path to the Copa America:
Semi-final. Replay of the 1st round: 2:0 against Canada in the quarter-finals. The seemingly inconspicuous opponent, the Ecuadorian national team, caused a lot of problems. Almost miraculously, Argentina reached the semi-finals, after a penalty shoot-out: 3rd round: victory over the main outsider in the group (2:0). The Peruvian team only miraculously made it to the playoffs, but they came into the match having fulfilled a certainty in the second round: a narrow victory over the Chilean team (1:0). The Argentines scored exactly at the moment when their opponents were better in the first round: a secure, but not trouble-free, victory over the Canadian team 2:0. The Americans paid for their high defensive line, but they also created chances themselves.
Throughout the entire trip, Argentina played with ease, and the matches did not require them to exert themselves too much. They played in half-hearted ways, occasionally rolling the ball slowly or even giving it to their opponents. Only in the third match without Messi, against a practically unmotivated Peru, was it possible to dominate the opponent from the first minutes. In all the other matches, Canada, Chile and Ecuador had real opportunities to at least score. And in Ecuador’s case, they completely left their relaxed opponents behind.
How the Argentines reached the final:
Messi finally scored in the Kop. Argentina is one step away from winning another trophy. Video
While Argentina barely beat lesser rivals, Colombia literally survived: first they managed to knock Brazil out of the group and avoid meeting Uruguay, and then they finally faced Bielsa’s team, but already in the semi-finals. And heroically knocked them out.
Colombia’s path to the Copa America:
Semi-final. The minimum victory over the Uruguayan national team is 1:0 in the quarter-finals. The defeat of the Panamanian national team by 5:0; the third round: the draw with the Brazilian national team (1:1) is a key achievement in the group stage. The result was achieved from a position of strength: rather, Colombia was closer to victory: in terms of xG they beat their opponent by one goal in the second round: defeat to Costa Rica (3:0), the same as they drew with Brazil earlier in the round; 1- 1st round: victory over the main competitor for group qualification, the Paraguayan national team (2:1). Julio Enciso shone for the opposing team, but Colombia controlled the match;
Colombia selection
Photo: ISI Photos/Getty Images
The Colombian national team is unbeaten in 28 matches. The last defeat was against Argentina back on February 2, 2022. But what has happened since then? Victory over Spain, Germany and Brazil in the qualifying round: the Colombian national team is holding on with confidence.
Reason 2. James Rodriguez returned to the top
Perhaps the former Real Madrid player suffers from Guillermo Ochoa syndrome: he only shows the best version of himself in the national team and in serious tournaments. And even this year, when at club level, the 33-year-old James arrived in Sao Paulo, he was able to bring out all his qualities as a top-level playmaker. Become the best player in four out of five games! He broke Messi’s record for assists in a Kopa tournament (6)! And he became that free Latin American “ten”, capable of making things worse.
Lionel Scaloni
head coach of the argentine national team
“It’s great to watch James Rodriguez play, but we’re not focusing on the player, we’re focusing on the team. Colombia is a good team at the end of the day.”
His little daughter Salome literally cried after the semi-final – the joy of reaching the Kopa final was so great. Now James Rodriguez is close to not only becoming the best, but also giving the team the second trophy of all time! Write your name in history.
James Rodriguez
Midfielder for the Colombian national team
“The rival has experience, but we are hungry.”
Reason 3. Even when outnumbered, they attack
Semi-final, Uruguay. James Rodriguez provided another assist and the Colombian team took the lead in the first half. But just before the break, defender Daniel Muñoz received a second yellow card. What to do?
Colombia gave away the ball (25% possession in the second half) but ended up creating three great chances. While Brazil came away with a proud zero. All thanks to an obvious but smart substitution: Néstor Lorenzo, the Argentine coach of the Colombian national team, took off Rodríguez in the 60th minute and freed up a player with a more useful role in the box: Kevin Castaño. He ran more, selected and made two key passes.
Nestor Lorenzo
Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Colombia tries to attack in any situation. And in style it is similar to that of the Argentines: Lorenzo gives freedom to the leaders and his team tries to carry out combined attacks. The formation is 4-3-1-2, Mojica and Muñoz provide width on the flanks, Luis Díaz and Córdova provide physical power in attack. The rest actively participate in combinations, the crown of which turns out to be a subtle aggravation of Gámez.
Coach Néstor Lorenzo once played with Maradona and now he will face his country.
The highlight of the Colombian semi-final is not about football:
Uruguay players brawled with Colombia fans in the stands! Full game in the Kop. Video
