Argentina Challenge Brazil In 2021 Copa America Final After Eliminating Colombia Via Penalty Shootout

Lionel Messsi (Twitter @copaamerica)

JAKARTA - Argentina will qualify for the 2021 Copa America final after beating Colombia on penalties 3-2 (1-1) in the semifinal match at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, July 7 morning.

Cited from Antara, the Tango team was able to take a quick lead when the game had only been running for seven minutes. Giovani Lo Ceso off a measurable pass to Lionel Messi who entered the penalty box. The Argentina captain had time to outwit the opposing defender before thrusting the ball to Lautaro Martinez.

Lautaro then kicked into the left corner of the Colombian goal and put Argentina 1-0 up.

Left behind in the early minutes, Colombia appeared aggressive and almost equalized in the 36th minute.

Wilmer Barrios volleyed in after snatching a wild ball from Nicolas Otamendi. However, this effort still hit the post.

¡SEGUNDO FINALISTA!🇦🇷@Argentina ya está en la final de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica y se enfrentará a @CBF_Futebol 🇧🇷 por el título 🏆#VibraElContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/J1kNOoH2nV

— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 7, 2021

Argentina had the opportunity to double the position in the 44th minute through Nicolas Gonzales' header which took advantage of Lionel Messi's corner.

However, Gonzales' efforts could still be saved by goalkeeper David Ospina brilliantly. Score 1-0 for Argentina lasted until halftime.

After the break, Colombia played open to catch up and their efforts finally paid off in the 61st minute.

Luis Diaz stabbed in from the left after receiving a quick free-kick. He then won the duel with German Pazzella before curling in from a tight angle and beating goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Colombia scored 1-1.

Argentina almost added the score in the 74th minute. Capitalizing on a missed pass by the Colombian defender, Angel Di Maria snatched the ball and passed David Ospina.

The PSG player then provided a pass for Martinez who immediately opened fire, which Davinson Sanchez was still able to keep out on the goal line.

Argentina again had a golden opportunity in the 81st minute. This time, Messi's shot from close range still hit the goal post.

The 1-1 score lasted until normal time ended until the winner of the match had to be determined on penalties.

Juan Cuadrado started the penalty shoot-out and successfully netted into the corner of Martinez's goal. Likewise with Messi who directed the ball into the top left corner to outwit David Ospina.

Colombia's second executioner Davinson Sanchez failed after Martinez managed to read the ball that leads to the right. It was the turn of the Argentine kicker who failed to execute the penalty. Rodrigo De Paul's shot was too high from the Ospina goal.

Yerry Mina stepped up as the third taker and Martinez played brilliantly by parrying the ball to the right. Argentina led 2-1 after Leandro Paredes rounded Ospina down the left.

Colombia's fourth-kick Miguel Borja made it 2-2 after his shot beat Martinez. Lautaro put Argentina 3-2 ahead after his shot to the top right could not be stopped by Ospina.

Martinez became Argentina's hero after parrying the ball from Colombia's fifth kicker, Edwin Cardona, who headed down his left.

LA FINAL QUE HARÁ VIBRAR AL CONTINENTE

🇧🇷 Brasil 🏆 Argentina 🇦🇷

¿Quién es tu candidato?

A FINAL QUE FARÁ VIBRAR O CONTINENTE

🇧🇷 Brasil 🏆 Argentina 🇦🇷

Quem é seu favorito? #VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente #CopaAmérica pic.twitter.com/nHtXN1X0Hz

— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 7, 2021

The classic match will be presented in the 2021 Copa America final when Argentina faces Brazil on Sunday, July 11 morning Indonesian time.

Lineup:

Argentina (4-3-3): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina (GonzaloMontiel 46'), German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso (Leandro Paredes 56'); Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Nicolas Gonzalez (Angel Di Maria 67').

Colombia (4-4-2): David Ospina; Daniel Munoz, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sanchez, William Tesillo (Frank Fabra 46'); Juan Cuadrado, Wilmer Barrios, Gutavo Cuellar (Yimmi Chara 46'), Luis Diaz; Rafael Borre (Edwin Cardona 46'), Duvan Zapata (Miguel Borja 60').