Who to Look Out for in the Copa America Final?
by Steve Ashfield | by Yunchu Li
Another Triumph for Argentina?
Argentina are already world champions and the defending Copa America title holders. Sunday sees them attempting to again become the champions of South America when taking on Colombia. It's likely to be the final Copa America for Lionel Messi. He'll be doing everything that he can to ensure he lifts another trophy.
A third in a row
Lionel Messi had to wait a long time before winning a major tournament with his home country. Now he's bidding to win a third in a row. 2021 saw him win the Copa America title and that ended a run of 28 years without becoming South American champions. Then the following year, Messi's dream came true as he captained Argentina to World Cup glory.
He's again been an influential character in this year's Copa America. His one goal came in the 2-0 win over Canada in the semi-finals and also made an assist against Ecuador in the last eight. His 187th appearance for Argentina (can he make it to 200 caps?) may also be a special one for the legend. Don't forget to read our Copa America prediction full of facts and statistics.
The Heir Apparent?
Lionel Messi can't go on forever as much as he'd like to. Argentina are lucky that they have an excellent squad at present. Lautaro Martinez comes into this final having scored four goals so far. He'll be hoping to add to that total and looks likely to be the competition's top goal scorer this year.
The Inter Milan captain is used to winning trophies both for his club side as well as Argentina. He's also aiming to win his third successive trophy for Argentina.
Absolutely on fire
Martinez has scored over 20 goals in each of his last three seasons. In the group stages of this tournament he was absolutely on fire. He scored in all three of Argentina's games, including two against Peru. He's yet to hit the target in the knockout stages but the 26-year-old, who scored three times in the last Copa America will be out to regain his scoring touch. Check out all the Copa America odds on our site.
Cordoba Will Be a Threat in the Final
Colombia are hoping to win the Copa America for the first time since 2001. They'd lost their last two semi-finals in 2016 and 2021 but have made it to the final this time.
They are unbeaten in their last 28 internationals and their last loss was in February 2022. That just happened to be a 1-0 loss to Argentina with Martinez scoring the winning goal.
Two goals so far in this tournament
It's been a hugely successful tournament for the Colombians and for Jhon Cordoba. The Krasnodar forward has scored two goals so far in this tournament. He was on the mark when Colombia beat Costa Rica 3-0 in the group stages. His other goal came when opening the scoring in their impressive 5-0 victory over Panama in the last eight.
Cordoba is known for his strength and possesses a powerful shot. He's a pacy forward who is bound to cause Argentina some problems in the final.
Can Rodriguez Finally Lift the Trophy?
Jamie Rodriguez will be aiming to lift aloft the Copa America trophy this weekend. The Colombian captain has been capped over 100 times for his country but recent years haven't been too successful for them in major tournaments.
They missed the finals of the 2022 World Cup but their form has been outstanding since that major disappointment. Rodriguez plays his club football in Brazil for Sao Paulo. He's been playing for Colombia since 2011 but has never won this trophy.
the second-highest goal scorer for Colombia
He'll be hoping that changes with a win over Argentina. Rodriguez is the second-highest goal scorer for Colombia, eight behind Radmel Falcao. Only three players have earned more international caps for Colombia than Rodriguez who is now 32 years of age. His 100th cap was earned last month and this match will be his 106th.
He's scored one goal so far in this Copa America tournament. That was in the comprehensive 5-0 win that the Colombians had over Panama in the quarter-finals. That was his first goal for Colombia this year, making it four years in a row he's scored for Colombia. He'd love to be able to score another against Argentina (who he has never scored against) in the final.
You can keep up to date with what's happening in the final on our Copa America livescore with updated statistics and live text commentary throughout the match.
Odds to win Copa America Final (90 minutes)
- Argentina, odds of 2.25
- Colombia, odds of 3.60
Odds from bet365
