COPA: LA GRAN FINAL!

Argentina have certainly had the smoothest path to the semifinals. Apart from a close call against Ecuador in the quarter-finals, they have consistently dominated their matches. La Albiceleste have conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, demonstrating their solid defense. However, they will need to be at their peak performance for the upcoming match. Lionel Messi, the shining star of Argentina, continues to lead the team, and there's speculation about whether this might be his final major tournament with the national squad.

Colombia might be considered the underdogs, but they have a legitimate shot at claiming the trophy. Their impressive performance in the group stage, where they secured a draw against Brazil to finish at the top, sets them up well. In the semi-finals, they triumphed over a formidable Uruguay team that had been in excellent form. Colombia's journey so far demonstrates their potential to emerge victorious.

ARGENTINA

Argentina have been on an incredible run. Since their unexpected loss to Saudi Arabia in the group stages of the last World Cup, they've only lost one out of their last 25 matches, securing 21 victories in normal time. This remarkable streak highlights their dominance and form, making them a formidable opponent for anyone they face.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, along with Di Maria who is known for always delivering in just big finals - will be the key in this final.

The spotlight often shines on Argentina's formidable attack, with stars like Messi, Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez stealing the headlines. However, it's the defense that quietly underpins Scaloni’s team. Their defensive strength has been crucial to their success, providing a solid foundation for the more celebrated forwards to perform.

ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs Colombia: Martinez (GK), Molina, Romero, Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

COLOMBIA

Here’s the challenge: to overcome Argentina, you must do it within 90 minutes. Hoping to best penalty expert Emiliano Martinez in a shootout is unrealistic; defeating Argentina in regular time is the more viable path to victory. Colombia is more than capable of this—they limited Uruguay, even with a man advantage, to just two second-half shots on target and zero big chances in the semifinal. However, betting against the world's best team, which has shown it can secure results even without top form, is tough.

Colombia leads the tournament in scoring, boasting 12 goals, with four players each finding the net twice. Their balanced and potent attack makes them a formidable force on the field, with multiple players stepping up to contribute crucial goals. This offensive depth could be a key factor in their quest for the trophy.

COLOMBIA predicted lineup vs Argentina: Vargas (GK); S. Arias, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; J. Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba

LET´S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

The Albiceleste clinched the last edition of this tournament in 2020, finally giving Messi his long-awaited first major international trophy. This victory propelled Argentina to global prominence, which they solidified by winning the World Cup two years later.

Colombia is currently riding a national team record 27-match unbeaten streak, which started after their last encounter with Argentina. That match, held in early 2022, saw Argentina triumph 1-0, marking the last time Los Cafeteros experienced defeat. Since then, Colombia has been unstoppable, showcasing their resilience and determination on the field.

I centrum för dessa två landslag står tränarna Scaloni och Lorenzo, båda två från Argentina där de vet att de har en hård nöt att knäcka.

"It is a final and every final has its nuances," Scaloli told reporters. "We will try to play it and win it. Every team that goes to a final knows the flavour of it and what's at stake."

Colombia is certainly feeling optimistic following their impressive unbeaten streak. However, as they head into Monday's highly anticipated match, Lorenzo's team will find themselves labeled as underdogs. This is largely due to their record against Argentina, having secured victory only three times in 21 encounters this century. Their last win came during the group stage of the 2019 Copa America, where they triumphed 2-0.

"We need to be the best Colombia, the best version, to beat Argentina, the champions of everything," Lorenzo said at a pre-match press conference.

I believe Argentina will win this match in Messi's new hometown, Miami. His story is too beautiful to end any other way. May the best team win!