JAKARTA - Mane Garrincha's Estadio Nacional de Brasilia will witness who will emerge victorious as Argentina and Colombia battle for a place in the 2021 Copa America final on Wednesday.
Boosted by a string of impressive performances at the tournament, Argentina enter this game as favorites to reach their first Copa America final since 2016.
Meanwhile, Colombia must step up its form if it is to overcome its outsider status and end a four-game winless streak in normal time.
Argentina Preview¡DE LA MANO DEL !🇦🇷 @Argentina derrotó a @LaTri con un sensacional Messi y se convirtió en el ltimo semifinalista de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica 2021 ️ ESP https://t.co/UYfyD6cr5q🗒️ PT https: //t.co/EaJbzq0zCy#VibraElContinente pic.twitter.com/Jv7f58GU08
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 in the quarter-finals through the heroism of Lionel Messi.
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Chile in the 2021 Copa America, the Tango team have won their next four matches by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Lionel Scaloni's men are currently unbeaten in their last 18 international matches in a row (W 11 D 7) and are yet to lose to current Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda (W 3 D 5).
Meanwhile according to Sportlens.com, having scored in successive Copa America games, Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez is likely to accompany Messi in attack at the expense of Sergio Aguero.
As for Messi, it appears to be on the verge of claiming the Golden Boot after bagging four goals and four assists in five Copa America appearances this summer.
La Pulga is desperate to win his first international title with Argentina and will be eager to beat Colombia after drawing in his last two meetings with this opponent.
Colombia previewDespite reaching the semi-finals, goal-scorching Colombia performed well below their standards at the 2021 Copa America. Reinaldo Rueda's men narrowly beat Ecuador 1-0 on Matchday 1 leaving their only success in five games in normal time.
Following consecutive 1-2 defeats to Brazil and Peru to close out the group stages, Colombia eliminated Uruguay in a quarter-final encounter which was contested on penalties.
Since they drew 120 minutes last time out, David Ospina et al have now scored under 1.5 goals in five consecutive international games, for a total of just three goals in that time.
Underdog status, the team nicknamed Los Cafeteros successfully surpassed Uruguay in the quarter-finals and are now hoping to qualify for their first major final since winning the 2001 Copa America.
Meanwhile, Duvan Zapata, who is yet to score in this edition of the tournament, will determine Colombia's hopes of beating Argentina.
However, the Atalanta marksman has scored just four goals in 23 international appearances, although one of those goals came against his potential opponent.
Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez built strong defenses in front of David Ospina's goal in the quarter-finals and they have to stick together against Messi and his team-mates.
After missing the 2021 Copa America opener, the Tottenham centre-back has reclaimed his place in the starting XI alongside the Everton star.
The Premier League duo will play a key role in Colombia's bid to contain Argentina. They contributed to three clean sheets in the last five appearances for the national team.
Head to Head Argentina Vs ColombiaColombia tiene motivos para festival. La semifinals está cerca Colombia tem motivos para festejar. A vaga na semifinal está garantida #VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/VES7bJHo5w
— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 4, 2021
Colombia have faced Argentina in two of their last three Copa America semi-final appearances, losing every game, including a 3-0 thrashing in 2004.
However, Colombia won 2-0 in the group stage of the 2019 Copa America, where Roger Martinez and Zapata were the two nail-beaters of Argentina's coffin at the time.
In fact, Los Cafeteros are unbeaten in three consecutive encounters with Argentina (W2 D1) since losing 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier in November 2016.
Line-up PredictionArgentina (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Palacios, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria.
Colombia (4-4-2): David Ospina, Daniel Munoz, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sanchez, William Tesillo, Juan Cuadrado, Wilmar Barrios, Gustavo Cuellar, Luis Diaz, Luis Muriel, Duvan Zapata.
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