A Football Classic To Determine Copa America 2007

Argentina and Brazil continue one of football’s greatest rivalries, if not the greatest, on Sunday in the Copa America final. It’s no surprise to see Argentina’s star studded line up in the final, but Brazil’s participation was not as guaranteed as would ordinarily be expected. A weakened squad and a poor start gave other nations the hope of being the team to face Argentina in the final but ultimately Brazil have improved sufficiently to take their place as the Copa America reaches its climax.

This year’s Copa America has a number of similarities to the last tournament in 2004 for both Argentina and Brazil. Argentina arrived in Peru three years ago with a virtually full strength squad and saw off Peru in the quarter-finals before winning their semi-final against Colombia by three clear goals. That formula has been repeated this year, with Peru again being the victims in the last eight and this time it was Mexico who suffered a semi-final defeat 3-0.

Brazil who went on to win the 2004 edition on penalties arrive at the final in exactly the same manner this year as they had done then – by virtue of a penalty shoot-out win over Uruguay. Uruguay can count themselves unlucky not to have won in 90 minutes then and now, however that will be of little consolation to them.

The final represents another chance for Argentina to end a 14 year wait for another senior title and the man at the helm, Alfio Basile, was the coach who led them to that very triumph at the Copa America 1993. Once again, as in 2004, Argentina have reached the final playing the most attractive football, but that will count for nothing should they not be victorious when it matters.

Brazil, led by Dunga, have been roundly criticised back home for the lack of style that Brazilian fans have become accustomed to over many years. However, it should be noted that Dunga’s side is not playing with all of its key pieces and thus the coach has had to make the best of the talent available. Any side missing the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho will find it difficult to replicate the considered standard that is expected of them. The Copa America invariably offers the chance for players with a reputation to make good on the hype surrounding them and Robinho has gone someway to answering his critics in that regard. Six goals in the tournament to date have helped Brazil reach a final where they will play the role as the underdog. Five of Robinho’s goals came against Chile, so it is arguable just how great his impact has been on the tournament as a whole.

The Seleção are searching for their eighth Copa America title and have won three of the last four tournaments dating back to 1997. Defeating Argentina with an under strength side will certainly vindicate Dunga’s philosophy that winning is what matters first and foremost. Brazil will have to win the final without their captain, Gilberto Silva, who picked up bookings in both the quarter and semi-final matches and thus is suspended for the final.

For Argentina, winning may not be enough. As with Brazil, a certain degree of style and flair is demanded by an expectant and restless Argentina public who have grown weary of witnessing the side produce great moments of football (like the 20 + pass goal in the 2006 World Cup), but not ultimately go on to claim the objective of winning the respective tournament. If being unlucky was an acceptable excuse in 2004, it won’t be the case this time around and a side boasting an attacking array of talent that includes Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi has no choice but to shine brightly.

That confidence and ability was in full effect in last night’s semi-final clash with Mexico as Messi stamped his mark on the tournament with a goal that is unlikely to be bettered in the final. It was a moment of pure genius and talent that reflects what we are all likely to witness from the left foot of Messi over the coming years. Any great player always leaves their imprint on major tournaments with moments such as those and it is likely that the football world has much more to see of Messi as time progresses and his talent matures even further.

The least that can be expected from the final is passion and skill. Both nations take immense pride in representing the shirts that have become synonymous with the cultures of both Argentina and Brazil and if the match should threaten to boil over at any point it is only to be expected. Bragging rights are at stake, but for Argentina this year, you sense the pressure on them is a burden that has been waiting to be uplifted for 14 years.