Sparks, Flair As Chile, Argentina Battle For Copa Ameria

The 2015 Copa America final features an intriguing clash between Lionel Messi-led Argentina and host nation Chile. Both teams have scarcely left anything to chance since they tournament began and, today, they will take to the field in Santiago, Chile, as they battle for South American supremacy and an automatic qualification spot for the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.

With so much on the line, it’s no wonder Copa America final tickets commanded big prices on the secondary market, at $900 on viagogo.com.   

Road To The Finals  Chile emerged as the winners of GROUP A, recording two wins and a single tie. Group play opened against Ecuador, who the Chileans defeated by a score of 2-0. The second match of the group stage was a high-scoring draw against Mexico, which finished 3-3. Chile then closed out their final group stage fixture punishing Bolivia, 5-0.

Argentina also entered the knockout stage of the tournament as the winners of their group. However, they got off to a slow start, tying Paraguay, 2-2, in their first match. With the fixture in Argentina’s favor heading into the final minutes, Paraguayan substitute striker Lucas Barrios score a last minute equalizer to give the two teams a draw. Argentina then recorded a 1-0 victory over capable opponent Uruguay, and finished out Group B by disposing of Jamaica in another 1-0 win, courtesy of a brilliant early goal by forward Gonzalo Higuain.

The knockout stage opened with Chile vs. Uruguay and Argentina vs. Colombia. Chile triumphed in a back-and-forth game, as an 81st-minute right-footed-struck laser by Mauricio Isla lifted La Roja over Uruguay. Argentina opened the knockout stage in a match that required penalties for a winner to be found. Finishing 0-0, Carlos Tevez stepped up and fired his chance past Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina to secure a 5-4 win on PK’s.

Argentina’s victory set up a rematch from Group B as The White and Sky Blue once again faced Paraguay. Yet, the second meeting was a one-sided affair. Captain Lionel Messi propelled his country into the Final, contributing three assists in a dismantling of the Paraguayans. Marcus Rojo opened the scoring in the 15th-minute, which began the 6-1 onslaught. Midfielder Angel Di María headlined the match with goals in the 47th and 53rd-minute.  Chile found their semifinal match more difficult.

Squaring off with Peru, the Chileans struck first in the 41st-minute. Peru fought honorably and saw their hard work pay off in the 60th-minute, benefitting from a Gary Medel own-goal. Team-leading scorer Eduardo Vargas answered quickly, however, sealing the victory with his second goal of the match. The 22nd goal of his international career may prove to be his best ever, hammering an absolute thunderbolt from outside the box into the upper left-hand corner.