Messi primed to end Argentina drought in Copa final

Lionel Messi might have been embroiled in something of an argument with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Thursday, but he spent his Friday imploring his team-mates to give their all in the Copa America Centenario final against Chile.

Two days before the 2016 Centennial Copa America final, which will take place in the United States between Argentina and Chile on Sunday, the hashtag “FelizCumpleMessi” (“HappyBirthdayMessi”) has become one of the main trends on Twitter, reports Xinhua.

The new format for Euro 2016, with 24 teams qualifying for the finals, was expected to favour the traditional powerhouses.

Messi is also aiming at bagging his first major trophy for his national side after failing in 2014 World Cup final against Germany followed by 2015 Copa America final against Chile.

Record 15-time winners Uruguay also failed to reach the quarter-finals of worldwide football’s oldest competition, giving Argentina the flawless chance to claim a first title since 1993. “What we can’t do is lose another finals match”.

Colombia, which never has won the Copa America, finished third for the fourth time but the first since 1995. Pictures courtesy of Premier Sports. I pray it happens on Sunday night, to bring belief and confidence to a team, that they can indeed win it on the big stage. Jose Pekerman’s team is clearly the favorites coming into this match.

The goals are in America!

Another year, another final for Lionel Messi and Argentina. Chile has found its form in the knockout rounds, though, with a 7-0 quarterfinal rout of Mexico and a 2-0 win in the semis over Colombia without suspended midfielder Arturo Vidal, when both goals came in the first 11 minutes.

On the other hand, the top scorers of the main European leagues have struggled.

Premier League Golden Boot victor Harry Kane has lost his place in the England team, and Bundesliga stars Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski have failed to find the net for Germany and Poland respectively.

Carlos Bacca beat USA goalkeeper Tim Howard by sliding to poke in a headed cross in the 31st minute, and the United States finished fourth in the Copa America tournament with a 1-0 loss to Colombia on Saturday night.

That’s also the same way this month’s tournament began for both teams.

Those first two finals – gut-wrenching losses to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and to Chile on penalties in last year’s Copa America final in Santiago – have left Argentina like the 1990s Buffalo Bills, and left the only five-time FIFA Ballon d’Or victor in history without a title like James had been before finally getting his first ring with the Miami Heat.

Three players who missed the last match due to suspension or card accumulation – Jones, midfielder Alejandro Bedoya and forward Bobby Wood – will be available Saturday.