The hosts Chile reached the final after defeating Peru in a close match in the first semifinal by 2-1 whereas Argentina thrashed Paraguay 6-1 in a one sided match yesterday. Chile had been the home favorites with the likes of Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez while Argentina got some big names in their squad. Argentina who came in this tournament as the best ranked team will look to win their 15th Copa title and end a 22 year drought. Chile, on the other hand, will look to win it for the first time.
The match will be played at the National Stadium, Santiago which is known as the biggest stadium in Chile. The hosts will have the home support which will boost their confidence against the tournament favourites Argentina. Argentina have lost only once in their last 12 meetings against Chile while winning other 8 matches. Chile will be playing their fifth Copa final this time having lost the previous four. One thing that will matter is that Chile haven’t played a penalty shootout till now in this tournament and Argentina did win once against Columbia in a shootout. Since there is no extra time, penalties will matter a lot.
Goal keeper will have a role to play this time. Chile will have the service of Claudio Bravo who knows his Star striker of Barcelona Lionel Messi very well. While Romero had been impressive whenever Argentine defenders fail to stop. He also saved a penalty in the shootout vs Columbia.
The forward of the teams are in supreme form. Chile had been scoring through long rangers as well as from crosses. While Messi had been the playmaker for the Argentine forwards to create numerous chances. Chile will depend on Sanchez and Vidal for most of the game. Argentina will field di Maria and Aguero ahead of Tevez and Gonzalo Higuaín once again. Although Messi is yet to score a goal other than the penalty he got in the first match. But who knows, the best player might have preserved his best for the Final.
Probable Line Up
Chile
Claudio Bravo, Miiko Albornoz, Mauricio Isla, Gary Medel, Jose Rojas, Charles Aranguiz, Marcelo Diaz, Jorge Valdivia, Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas.
Argentina
Sergio Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Ezequil Garay,Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, Angel di Maria, Javier Pastore, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi.
Key Players
Chile -> Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas, Alexis Sanchez, Jorge Valdivia.
Argentina -> Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria, Javier Pastore, Sergio Aguero.
Predictions
This is going to be an exciting thriller and football fans will enjoy it a lot. As per Sports Mirchi predictions, the match will be at the scores level after full time and the given extra time. The Copa America 2015 winner will be decided in the penalties and Argentina are favorites to win it.
