Copa América gets dream final after hero role Emiliano Martínez

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 06:54• Yanick Vos

Argentina has qualified for the final of the Copa América. The South American final tournament thus gets its dream final, as Brazil had already secured a place in the final battle a day earlier. The team of national coach Lionel Scaloni did not have it easy with Colombia; in the Estádio Mané Garrincha it ended in penalties.

With Nicolás Tagliafico in the starting line-up and Lisandro Martínez on the bench for ninety minutes, Argentina got off to a strong start. Lionel Messi was elusive and created a lot of threat in the opening phase. After seven minutes he gave in to Lautaro Martínez, who hit the ball in the far corner. It marked his fifth assist for Messi in this Copa América, while he himself is the top scorer with four goals. So far, the non-transferable forward has been involved in 82 percent of all Argentine goals (11) in this Copa edition.

Colombia pushed on and emphatically sought the equalizer. William Barrios hit the post through Giovanni Lo Celso’s leg, after which Yerry Mina hit the crossbar with a header from the following corner. The equalizer was inevitable and eventually fell after an hour of play. It was Luis Díaz who gave goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from a difficult angle. Both teams had chances to decide the game in their favor. Just before the end of the game, Messi hit the post.

After 90 minutes of play, both sides went straight to penalties. In this series goalkeeper Martínez became the hero of Argentina. He saved the penalties from Davinson Sánchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona. Because only Rodrigo De Paul failed to hit on behalf of the Argentinians, it is Argentina that can prepare for the final against Brazil next Sunday (02:00 AM Dutch time).


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