Argentina is through to the 2021 Copa América final following a dramatic semifinal clash at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia which saw La Albiceleste beat Colombia 3-2 on penalties a day after host Brazil sneaked past a durable Peru side 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Lucas Paqueta in the first half.
Superclásico rivals, Brazil and Argentina will meet in the Copa América final in a fixture that was last seen in 2007. Their first final was in 1937, where Argentina emerged victorious with goals from Vicente de la Mata enough to seal a two-goal lead and Argentina claiming the title. Their second meeting in the finals was in 2004 where the game was won by Brazil on penalties as the tie ended 2-2 in normal time.
2007 final will still linger in the mind of many Argentine faithful as they saw their team getting demolished by a superior Brazilian squad that is made up of top players like Maicon, Alex, Robinho and Dani Alves. Brazil took the lead in the fourth minute through Júlio Baptista, thirty minutes later, Dani Alves cross in the 40th minute lead to a deflected for own goal past Abbondanzieri to double Brazil's lead at halftime. In the 69th minute, Brazil scored their third and final goal through Alves.
Argentina's history, especially over the last seven years with Messi, is no secret. After three brutal, consecutive defeats in the finals (2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa América, 2016 Copa América Centenario), they have got another chance to end their international title drought. For them, Sunday’s title clash against bitter rivals Brazil will be their 29th final. They last won the continental title in 1993 and lost the finals in 2004, 2007, 2015 and 2016. They had also finished third last term, after losing to Brazil in the semis.
Aside from ending their title drought, Argentina will look to become the joint-most successful side with Uruguay (15) if they beat defending champions Brazil who is also gunning for their 10th title.
