Copa America Final: Messi’s Argentina vs James-led Colombia
In preparation for their match against Colombia on Sunday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium in the Copa America final, Lionel Messi and Argentina resumed their training at FIU on Friday.
Argentina defeated Canada 2-0 on Tuesday to guarantee their spot in the championship game, with goals from Messi and Julián Álvarez. The Albiceleste are attempting to win a record 16 Copa America titles after winning 10 straight games.
Argentina is attempting to accomplish a unique achievement by winning back-to-back Copa America titles after winning the 2022 World Cup. This would be comparable to Spain’s 2008 and 2012 European Championships and 2010 World Cup victories.
Colombia advanced to the championship game on Wednesday night after a thrilling 1-0 victory over Uruguay. The game-winning goal came from Jefferson Lerma in the 39th minute, and Los Cafeteros held on despite Daniel Muñoz’s ejection in first-half stoppage time, which left them down to 10 men.
When talking about James Rodríguez, the key figure in Colombia’s run to the Copa America final versus Argentina, Luis Díaz couldn’t contain his joy or his emotions.
The Liverpool winger Díaz remarked, “I told him right away that he has always been my idol when I joined the national team.” “I watched him growing up.”
James is well regarded by the Colombian team and celebrated his 33rd birthday on Friday. When Díaz, 27, was a youngster, James was the star of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he moved from Monaco to Real Madrid after winning the Golden Boot as the competition’s top scorer.
After a dismal season at Brazilian team Sao Paulo, James had low expectations for this Copa America. But James was trusted by Colombian coach Néstor Lorenzo, and he turned out to be one of the finest players of the competition, bringing his team into the Miami Gardens, Florida, final against the reigning champion Argentina.
Colombia has not been in a Copa America final since they were the hosts in 2001.
