da aposte e ganhe： There's a clear underdog in Sunday's Copa America final, but don't write Colombia off against the defending champions.
da 888casino： Let's all be honest here: Argentina is the heavy favorite to win the Copa America. They're the world's best national team and they have the resume to prove it. They're the defending champions of this tournament and, on top of that, they're world champions. The expectation is that they lift another trophy on Sunday.
Standing in their way? Colombia, a team that has won this competition just once – compared to Argentina's 15 titles. The last time they did so was in 2001. The only other time they'd been in the final was in 1975. For years, Colombia has had talent, but it's rarely assembled in a way that's allowed them to get this far.
And yet, here they are, and they'll feel like no underdog. No, this Colombia team has marched to Sunday night's Copa America final in Miami, going toe-to-toe with the elite to get there. They outlasted Uruguay in the semifinal despite going down a man in the first half. They stared down Brazil and didn't blink. They are currently on an incredible 28-game unbeaten streak.
This Colombia team achieved on merit and they know they have the talent to beat just about anybody.
"Just about anybody" doesn't account for Argentina, of course. Despite a relatively light path to the final, Lionel Messi and Co. are still a battle-hardened team. They won't be afraid of Colombia and, to be fair, vice-versa.
But realistically, can Colombia win? Can they pull off the upset and make history? Can they cement their status as immortals by leaving Miami with a trophy in hand? GOAL examineswhy Colombia has a chance against mighty Messi and friends.
Getty ImagesJames turns back the clock
Argentina has their star No. 10 and Colombia has theirs and, this summer, there's no doubt which of those two has been better.
James Rodriguez has been nothing short of spectacular since the Copa America kicked off, as he's turned back the clock to that 2014 World Cup form that made the world fall in love with him. The Colombian star is an old-school playmaker, one that can impact the game in multiple ways. He's simply been the best player in the Copa America 2024.
Rodriguez has six assists in five games during this tournament – for comparison, no one else has more than two. The 33-year-old is the superstar to watch in this game, even moreso than Lionel Messi.
Argentina will be game-planning for him, of course. But in this form, the Colombia star is the most important player in this game.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesSet-piece goals
Set pieces have an increased effect on the international game. With so few training sessions together, there's less time to fine-tune at the national team level. As a result, sometimes the best strategy is to just hoof it into the box and hope. The best teams, though, do less hoping and more scoring.
That's Colombia, a team that has made the most of set pieces this summer. Their opening goals against both Panama and Uruguay came from dead-ball situations, which has become a strength. It helps that you have Rodriguez delivering, but it is more than just him.
Striker Jhon Cordoba is massive at 6-2. Defender Davinson Sanchez is the same height, while fellow centerback Carlos Cuesta is over six-feet, as well. Jefferson Lerma, the goalscorer against Uruguay, isn't quite as tall, but he sure seemed like it when he dunked on his defender to score in the semifinal.
Argentina, meanwhile, has Cristian Romero to help, and he's been the best defender in this tournament by far. His partner, Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, isn't the tallest and, even though he makes up for it in tenacity, he faces a challenge on dead-ball situations.
Colombia have to make the most of their set-piece opportunities to win – but this tournament has shown repeatedly that they are both willing and able to do just that.
Getty ImagesMidfield battle
In most games they play, Argentina will have the better midfield. And it's not just the starters, either. Most opponents would struggle to deal with Argentina's trio of backups.
Colombia, though, has a decent midfield, too. It's led by Lerma of Crystal Palace. The 29-year-old has more than 100 games of Premier League experience and, on top of that, has had a strong tournament this summer. He'll be ready.
Next to him has been Richard Rios, who has stepped up in a big way. He's one of this tournament's breakout stars as the 24-year-old Palmeiras star has furthered his reputation this summer. A performance against Argentina would be a major statement, though, as he looks to prove that this recent run is no fluke.
Argentina has the better midfield, but Colombia's will be ready.
GettyDiaz on the wing
On a scale of world-class players, Luis Diaz is right on the fringes. There aren't many wingers you'd pick over him. But do you know how you earn that label? Show up in finals.
Diaz will no doubt be up for it.
The Liverpool star is among the game's most dangerous wingers for several reasons. Chief among them are his pace and dribbling. When the ball is at his feet, Diaz is almost impossible to contain. Good luck to Argentina fullback Nicolas Tagliafico.
If Diaz is at his best, Argentina will struggle to contain him and, in a game that may just be decided by one moment of magic, Diaz is the type of player that can conjure that up.