Messi’s Argentina Win Copa Semi To Set Up Brazil Final!
07 July, 2021
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will play Brazil in the final of the 2021 Copa America this weekend after beating Colombia on penalties at the semi-final stage in the early hours of this morning.
The Albiceleste opened the scoring early on at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha stadium in Brazil through Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who found the back of the net with a first-time finish after being picked out in the box by Messi.
Argentina continued to find space in and around Colombia’s box but failed to build on their lead. Colombia, meanwhile, went close on a couple of occasions though their efforts were thwarted by Aston Villa No. 1 Emiliano Martinez.
After Lionel Scaloni’s men took a 1-0 lead into half-time, Colombia clawed their way back into the semi-final fixture through Luis Diaz, who found the equaliser in the 61st minute with an incredible finish.
In the 82nd minute, captain Messi fired an effort into the post following some good work by Angel Di Maria, but the game eventually ended 1-1 in 90 minutes, though it was Argentina who arguably had the better of the chances throughout the clash.
With this Copa America tournament coming after a strenuous year and a half for footballers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, CONMEBOL decided to do away with extra-time. The game, therefore, would be decided in a penalty shootout.
Penalties:
Juan Cuadrado scores (Colombia)
Lionel Messi scores (Argentina)
Davinson Sanchez has effort saved by Emiliano Martinez (Colombia)
Rodrigo de Paul misses (Argentina)
Martinez saves Yerry Mina’s penalty (Colombia)
Leandro Paredes scores (Argentina)
Borja scores (Colombia)
Lautaro Martinez scores (Argentina)
Martinez is equal to Cardona’s effort (Colombia)
Argentina win 3-2 on penalties
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za