When Argentina and Colombia enter the fray in Miami for the 2024 Copa America final on Monday morning, we shall witness the best two teams of the tournament not only because they reached the final.
It is worth noting that both La Seleccion and Los Cafeteros did not lose any games en route to this important stage.
Lionel Scaloni’s team collected every point there was in the group stages defeating Canada 2-0, Chile 1-0, and Peru 2-0, respectively to finish top of Group A.
The holders had Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank in the quarterfinals against Ecuador.
Martinez saved two penalties after captain Lionel Messi had missed the first penalty for Argentina to advance to the semifinals 4-2 after the shootouts following a 1-1 draw in normal time.
It was a repeat of the Group A meeting when Argentina met with debutants Canada in the semifinals and once again won it 2-0.
Inter Milan skipper Lautaro Martinez has scored four goals, the most of any other player in the tournament so far.
Argentina will be hoping to move past Uruguay and become the record holders with 16 Copa America titles.
Meanwhile, Nestor Lorenzo’s side have tested themselves against some of the big guns in South American football.
The 2001 champions shared the same Group D with giants Brazil, Paraguay, and Costa Rica and were able to lead the group with seven points after 2-1 and 3-0 victories over Paraguay and Costa Rica before drawing 1–1 against the Selecao.
Colombia were as convincing in the quarterfinals thrashing Panama 5-0 before edging the joint record holders Uruguay 1-0 in the semifinals.
They played the largest part of the game with 10 players after Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz was sent off for a second bookable offence at the stroke of halftime.
Interestingly, Argentina have lost only two games since 2019 whereas Colombia are on a 28-game unbeaten run.
