Messi key as Argentina look to end their CONMEBOL Copa América drought
2021-06-12
Few teams at the 2021 Conmebol Copa America have won as many trophies as the Argentine national team. Argentina are the most successful side in the tournament’s history and yet have now gone 28 years without lifting the famous trophy, suffering some traumatic narrow recent defeats.
Argentina has made it to four finals since last winning the title in 1994 and on every occasion faced defeat to important historic rivals. In 2004 and 2007 the ‘albiceleste’ was beaten by Brazil. In 2004 the game finished level and they lost on penalties while in 2007 they went down 3-0 in normal time.
More recently, they were beaten in consecutive finals by Chile. On both occasions the game finished 0-0 and Argentina lost the subsequent penalty shootout.
On the last occasion they hosted the CONMEBOL Copa America in 2011 Argentina was eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual winners Uruguay. Argentina and Uruguay dominated the competition for much of its early history and with that win Uruguay overtook Argentina in terms of most continental titles.
The Copa America trophy has not been to Buenos Aires since Gabriel Batistura scored twice in Argentina’s 2-1 win against Mexico in Ecuador.
Lionel Scaloni’s side will go into this year’s competition with confidence following a good run of form. Argentina’s haven’t lost since they were beaten by Brazil 2-0 in the 2019 Copa America. Since then they have played 13 games with 7 wins and 6 draws. They have a near perfect record in 2022 World Cup qualifying picking up 12 points after 6 rounds of games.
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In addition to starman Lionel Messi, who is looking to add an international title to his remarkable list of career accolades, Argentina also have the experienced Di Maria and young talents such as Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso. Winning the country’s 15th Copa America would be a huge moment for Messi and strengthen his position as an all-time national team idol.
Argentina and their remarkable number 10 will kick off the at the 2021 CONMEBOL Copa America on 14 June, at Mané Garrincha Stadium, in Brasilia. They play against Chile, the side who twice beat them in the final in recent years in what should be a fascinating, lively encounter. They will then face Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia in Group A.
Click here to see the best of Lionel Messi in the CONMEBOL Copa América!