Chile beat Colombia to enter Copa America final

The game will be a repeat of last year’s final in Santiago that the host nation won on penalties.

First called the South American Football Championship, with Copa America the name of the trophy, it was first played in Buenos Aires with Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay taking part in 1916, the year the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) was founded.

Argentina lost to Chile on penalties in the final a year ago and Messi said they were better prepared for their latest campaign. Americans haven’t been able to enjoy Messi in the US during his prime – unless they follow his club career at Barcelona – but he has quickly made a lasting impact.

With their talismanic captain not 100% fit physically and mentally, the prospect of another disappointing tournament was very much on the horizon for Argentina. In a rare rematch, the red-hot Chileans seem to have everything going in their favor.

Colombia defender Cristian Zapata (2) and United States midfielder Jermaine Jones (13) go for the ball during the Copa America Centenario third-place soccer match at University of Phoenix Stadium, Saturday, June 25, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.

Argentina’s new all-time leading goalscorer after netting his 55th worldwide goal in the 4-0 semi-final win over the United States, Messi took to Instagram to vent his frustration. The set piece curled just right to settle into the top right corner of USA goalie’s, Brad Guzan, net.

Considered the best player of his era, to join Pele and fellow Argentine Diego Maradona among the greatest of all-time many feel Messi must lead the Albicelestes to a title.

Messi responded to that verbal salvo with a sublime cameo against Panama a few days later, entering as a second-half substitute and scoring a brilliant hat-trick inside 19 minutes.

While Messi grabbed the headlines for his magnificent free-kick that saw him become his country’s record scorer with 55 goals, one clear of Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina’s goals have come from all angles.

The Argentinians take on Chile at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford bidding to end a 23-year trophy drought following agonizing near-misses in the 2014 World Cup and last year’s Copa America.

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After carving different paths through the tournament, each team seems to have hit their stride.

Chile is coming off a 2-0 victory over Colombia in the semifinals. “It has been nearly a year since the last Copa America and I think that made us stronger as a group, and as a team”.