Copa America: This Play-off Could Be Feisty!

Argentina vs Chile

So who would have thought this repeat of the final of 2016 would be a mere hors d’oeuvres to the 2019 showpiece?

Well, perhaps to study the Copa America betting odds at the start of the tournament it would not have been that unusual.

However, once the semi-finals draw had been made, Chile were odds-on favourites to reach yet another final.

Then came Peru to put an emphatic end to that reign and also dash their hopes of equalling history by winning three Copa Americas on the bounce.

With Brazil also ending the dream of arch-rivals Argentina, it’s more crumbs for La Albaceleste.

Talking Points

One rather suspects, SBOBET fans, that both these nations would be happily on their way home rather than contesting a play-off match before a final they were both hopeful of being part of.

Argentina’s wait to be crowned kings of South America (for the first time since their tournament triumph of 1993) goes on, as does the fact Lionel Messi becomes increasingly frustrated at his failure to inspire his country to a major success.

They have produced a few Copa America highlights this time, as have Chile who also knocked out my tip to win the tournament, Colombia, in the quarter-finals.

Yet while both have fallen short overall, they may still be wondering why at least one of them is not playing in the Maracana this weekend, rather than the Corinthians Arena.

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2019 Copa America

After all, Chile had not conceded a goal in the knockout stages of this competition since 2015 until Peru came calling. Moreover, Pedro Gallese made seven saves against Chile (including a penalty kick), the most for a Peruvian goalkeeper in a game of the last four Copa America tournaments (21 games played) in the same match.

Meanwhile, Argentina attempted 10 shots more than Brazil (14-4) and hit the post twice in their semi-final, yet the Brazilians managed to win 2-0 with only four total shots in the game.

That result put pressure on coach Lionel Scaloni, although he is expected to remain in post until the end of 2019, which is when his contract with the Argentine Football Association runs out.

For the first time in years, Argentina will soon have had a coach who remained in post for more than a year. Edgardo Bauza’s stay was for less than 12 months before Jorge Sampaoli took over.

His job lasted just over a year until the end of last summer’s World Cup in Russia when Argentina were sent packing by France in a last 16 thriller.

Perhaps Scaloni will be left to oversee a longer term. After all, Argentina (with Colombia) are joint hosts of the next Copa America next summer and it would be foolish to retain his services now should they be considering parting company before next year’s competition.

Team news-wise, Argentina have no injury concerns with Messi expected to feature alongside Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez up front.

Despite featuring in every game, Chile captain Gary Medel has struggled for full-fitness throughout the tournament.

This has all the attributes of being a feisty affair. With these nations meeting in the 2015 and 2016 finals, and Chile defeating Argentina on both occasions (both times on penalties), the animosity has grown.

This may only be a playoff contest but revenge will be a watchword.

It’s Chile against Argentina in the Copa America third-place game — Chile’s players react after losing their Copa America semifinal match against Peru

History

Argentina have traditionally enjoyed playing their rivals.

They have won 60 and only lost eight of their clashes, of course, two of those defeats came in the last two finals of the Copa America.

The other 23 meetings have ended in a draw.

When they last met in 2017, a Messi penalty sealed a 1-0 win in a World Cup qualifier.

Argentina also prevailed by a single goal in a Copa America group clash in 2016 when Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega were on target in a 2-1 win.

Of course, Chile had the last laugh in the final.

Before then, the two nations had not met in this tournament since 1997 when Argentina emerged 2-0 winners, thanks to late goals from Sergio Berti and Marcelo Gallardo.