Argentina 1-1 (3-2 on pens.) Colombia
Argentina are back in the Copa America final for the fifth time in seven tournaments after a thrilling penalty shootout win over Colombia in the semi-finals.
Lautaro Martinez had given La Albiceleste the early lead, but Colombia gamely fought back and equalised through Luis Diaz with half an hour left and withstood a late Argentina barrage to force a penalty shootout.
Colombia had beaten Uruguay in the quarter-final through a shootout, but their luck would run out this time around as Argentina keeper Emi Martinez’s provided the heroics to see his country through to the final.
Highlights of the game
It did not come as much of a shock that Argentina started the trio of Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Nico Gonzalez, which has been Lionel Scaloni’s preferred front three in this tournament.
And two of those three nearly combined for the opening goal after just three minutes. Messi sent in a cross which Lautaro got on the end of, but his stooping header went just wide.
However, the two would combine yet again, and this time it would result in the opening goal. Messi again wreaked havoc inside the penalty box and found Martinez, who slotted the ball past David Ospina with his right-footed shot.
Colombia very nearly caught Argentina out cold and almost equalised just moments after the goal, though. Juan Cuadrado got into the box and had a great look on goal, but his left-footed shot was well-saved by Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez.
The early goal forced Colombia – who have struggled to score during this tournament – to come out and attack Argentina more, and they duly obliged as they controlled the majority of the first half.
They came very close to an equaliser as they hit the woodwork twice in the space of a few minutes. First, Wilmar Barrios’ speculative long-range strike took a wicked deflection that saw it strike the post. Then, centre-back Yerry Mina rose high for a header off a corner, only to see the ball crash back off the crossbar.
Although, Argentina had their chance to double their advantage minutes before half-time as Gonzalez headed a Messi corner on target, but Ospina did well to punch the ball over the bar.
The second half saw much of the same, with Colombia doing most of the attacking in search of an equaliser. And they finally got their goal just after the hour mark.
Luis Diaz, who scored a wonder goal against Brazil in the group stage, showed incredible strength to overcome German Pezzella’s challenge, then produce a terrific sliding finish to beat Martinez.
Argentina predictably upped the pressure during the final third of the match to look for a winner, and they nearly had it on 73 minutes.
Angel Di Maria, who had come on as a substitute, set up Lautaro for a great chance, but the Inter hitman was denied by a brilliant clearance off the line by William Tesillo. The rebound went straight at Di Maria, who then blasted his first-time shot over the bar.
Messi had one last chance to win it in normal time, but his left-footed shot six minutes from time hit the post, so it was off to penalties.
Cuadrado and Messi both made their respective teams’ openers, but Argentina gained the advantage as Emi Martinez saved the penalties of both of Colombia’s centre-backs, Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina.
After both teams made their next set of penalties, it was up to Edwin Cardona to keep Colombia alive, but Martinez came up with one more big save to take Argentina to the final.
Key statistics
The final statistics were quite even, with the two teams splitting 50 per cent of possession. Colombia had a very slight 14-13 edge in total shots and had four shots on target apiece.
However, Colombia were well on top in terms of both possession and shots for most of the match, with Argentina’s late flurry seeing them pull even.
Messi, who had a tournament-leading four goals, had three shots on target, none of which were on target. Although, he did still provide Copa America 2021 highlights with his fifth assist, which is also the most in this tournament.
Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez is one goal behind Messi in the scoring charts with three and now has 14 international goals in 28 caps.
What’s next?
Argentina now move on to play in the final SBOTOP fans were hoping for against Brazil, which will take place at the Maracana on July 10. Old friends Lionel Messi and Neymar will collide on the big stage as they look to pick up some more silverware.
The Copa America 2021 betting odds will have the hosts as slight favourites, but La Albiceleste are certainly more than capable of picking up the win. This could very well be Messi’s last best chance to win a senior international title for his country, so he will have all the motivation he needs to go out and beat Brazil.
As for Colombia, they have a chance to finish third for the second time in three tournaments when they battle Peru in the third-place match on July 9.
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