It should be an electrical Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia in the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Florida. With both teams coming into this match in good form, fans can’t expect anything else other than a contest between two of the world’s top talents Lionel Messi and James Rodríguez.
Match Detail
Date: November 20, 2024
Kick-off Time: 8 PM ET (1 AM GMT, November 21)
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Florida
Expected Lineups
Argentina
Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina would most likely start with a 4-3-3 formation with a clear emphasis on the attack and midfield control. The likely starters are:
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
Defenders: Nahuel Molina – Cristian Romero- Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister
Forwards: Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez
Key considerations for Scaloni will be how fit Lionel Messi has been of late and how the form of attackers like Álvarez, who have helped him take Argentina through.
Colombia
The formation that Nestor Lorentz, Colombia’s coach, probably will use is a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the emphasis on being solid in defense and quick counterattacks. Probable line-up:
Goalkeeper: Camilo Vargas
Defenders: Santiago Arias, Carlos Cuesta, Davinson Sánchez, Johan Mojica
Midfielders: Jefferson Lerma, Kevin Castaño
Attacking midfielders: Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, Juan Arias
Forward: Rafael Borré
Most notably, Daniel Muñoz is suspended and thus unavailable, which may force changes in Colombia’s defense.
Key Players to Watch
Lionel Messi – Argentina
He does remain central to the strategy of Argentina, his vision, playmaking, and set-piece expertise posing a constant threat.
James Rodríguez (Colombia)
James will be key to unlocking Argentina’s defense with creativity and shooting from long range.
Luis Díaz (Colombia) Known for pace and dribbling, Díaz will test the backline of Argentina with direct runs and counterattacks.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Argentina comes into this match with a fine run of form, illustrated by their 2-0 victory over Canada in the semifinals. Colombia, meanwhile, sneaked through and beat Uruguay 1-0 in a tight semifinal.
In their last five encounters:
Argentina: 2 wins
Colombia: 1 victory
Draws: 2
Their most recent encounter resulted in a 1-0 win for Argentina during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Tactical Battles to Watch
- Dominating Midfield: With the likes of De Paul and Fernández on top, Argentina will try to control the rhythm of the game, which Colombia, through Lerma and Castaño, will look to disrupt.
- Set Pieces: Both teams have been good over dead-ball situations and that just might prove to be a telling factor in this game.
- Counterattacks: At times, Colombia would want to count on rapid transitions of play, using the speeds of Díaz and Borré.
Predictions and Fan Expectations
Coming into this as reigning Copa America and World Cup champions, Argentina will have the favorites tag on them, but they are up against an obstinate Colombian team that is hungry for a second Copa America title. It would be a little in favor of Argentina because Messi already led them superbly, and the team was in form. Still, this Colombian team has never lost a game yet in this tournament, and with the tactical discipline that they have shown, they might cause an upset. Stay tuned for further match updates in this rivalry, with another exciting chapter now written into South American football history.
Conclusion
The Copa America 2024 final between Argentina and Colombia is set to be an enthralling clash of styles and talent. Argentina’s established dominance, bolstered by Lionel Messi and a cohesive squad, contrasts with Colombia’s strategic gameplay and unbeaten streak under Néstor Lorenzo. Both teams bring impressive recent form and individual brilliance to the pitch, ensuring a match full of drama and excitement.
While Argentina enters as the favorite due to its track record and form, Colombia has the tools to challenge, especially with players like Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez in their ranks. The game will likely be decided by tactical nuances, set-piece execution, and individual moments of magic. Fans worldwide are poised to witness a defining chapter in South American football history.
FAQs
1. When and where is the final being played?
The match will take place on November 20, 2024, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
2. What are the predicted lineups for Argentina and Colombia?
Argentina (4-3-3): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Ángel Di María, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
3. How can I watch the match?
The match will be broadcast live on major networks, including:
- USA: FOX, FS1, TUDN, Univision, Fox Sports App, Fubo
- UK: Premier Sports 1.
4. What is the recent form of both teams?
- Argentina: The team is in strong form, defeating Canada 2-0 in the semifinals and maintaining momentum since their World Cup win.
- Colombia: They edged Uruguay 1-0 in a hard-fought semifinal, extending their unbeaten streak to 28 games.
5. What is the head-to-head record between Argentina and Colombia?
In their last five meetings:
- Argentina: 2 wins
- Colombia: 1 win
- Draws: 2
Their most recent encounter was a 1-0 win for Argentina during the World Cup qualifiers in February 2022.
6. Which players are key to watch?
- Argentina: Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Ángel Di María.
- Colombia: James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, and Rafael Borré.
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