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You are here: Home / Sports / Copa America Football (Soccer) Final: Brazil v Argentina

Copa America Football (Soccer) Final: Brazil v Argentina

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What’s arguably the greatest rivalry in the international game will write its next chapter on Saturday night when Brazil and Argentina meet in the Copa America final. Brazil squeaked through the knockout stage with back-to-back 1-0 wins over Chile and Peru, while Argentina followed up their 3-0 win over Ecuador in the quarters by just getting by Colombia in penalty kicks in the semis. It’s the two best teams on the continent with Neymar and Lionel Messi doing battle…

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127Comments

  2. 2.

    cope

    I was hoping this pair would reach the finals.  Should be very entertaining.  Messi’s life story is indeed interesting even if he as a person is so reserved.  I expect to see at least one Messi spark of brilliance during the game.

  5. 5.

    debbie

    Why did I not realize until now that there are two separate tournaments? ??‍♀️

  6. 6.

    Chetan Murthy

    Uh, I’m no soccer fan, but at least, I do pay attention when I hear about athletes who are truly superlative.  And so: I saw all this ruckus about the Euro 2020, but nowhere near as much about the Copa America.  And yet (I could be wrong) I thought that, if you were going to pick a continent that rules futbol, it would be, y’know, South America?

    Am I just wrong?  I mean, Argentina, Brazil — two *powerhouses*, for decades.  I was in *France* during the 1994 World Cup, and I still remember the massive caravan of revelers driving thru the streets of Sophia-Antipolis (basically, laid out like a suburb) when Brazil won.  And that was in some backwater town in France.  I can only imagine what it was like in major cities (and of course, in South America, sure).

  10. 10.

    Anne Laurie

    @Chetan Murthy:  Well, there’s quite a strong argument that, bad as COVID-19 is in Europe, it’s much much worse in South America right now.  In fact, IIRC, it’s being hosted in Brazil because the original sponsors decided it was too dangerous for the public, but Bolsonaro is notoriously not gonna let some virus be the boss of him…

  14. 14.

    Chetan Murthy

    @Anne Laurie: Oh, *riiiight* !!  I forgot about that.  I suppose that has something to do with why there hasn’t been as much news about it: just a shit-ton fewer fans and their associated shenanigans.  Thank you, AL, for explaining!

  15. 15.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Chetan Murthy:

    Brazil v Argentina is a premier matchup with deep, deep historical roots. The Copa is still relatively regional compared to the Euros due to the draw of the top European leagues, where the best players in the world ply their trade at club level.

  16. 16.

    guachi

    @Chetan Murthy: Aside from it being Europe, which has lots more money, I think Euro2020 being bigger is because there are more countries that have a realistic chance of winning so the games are all more exciting.

  17. 17.

    HumboldtBlue

    One guarantee about Copa matches, the remonstrations, hand gestures, barking and complaining are taken to an art form.

  18. 18.

    J_A

    I’m watching the game on the giant screen of a hotel in São Paulo, and I’m torn. Generally I support Brazil, and the room’s energy in 200% for the local team.

    But my Barça forever fan has a special spot for Messi, and I want him to have this

    What can I do, torn between two loves? I miss the days I deeply despised Maradona and had no such inner turmoil ?

  22. 22.

    HumboldtBlue

    I’m still surprised Fred is on the Brazil national team. He’s so very average at Man United.

  25. 25.

    HumboldtBlue

    Argentina, your more than welcome to kick the ever loving shit out of Richarlison.

    Thanks, Liverpool supporters.

    GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL

    Route one football

  28. 28.

    J_A

    Well that was an awesome goal out of absolutely nowhere.

    Not cheered at all here, BTW

  32. 32.

    billcinsd

    @J_A: so you’re torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool, just remember loving Messi means breaking all the rules

  36. 36.

    J_A

    Di Maria’s goal has focused the Argentinian team. They are playing much better since it.

  39. 39.

    HumboldtBlue

    @phdesmond: ​ 
    Yes Cameroon, the host country is in extraordinary turmoil and combined with Covid has left AFCON scrambling.

  42. 42.

    Mike E

    I’m surprised VAR didn’t nix the goal…TUDN showed the offsides guideline indicated his arm was past the defender’s body when the pass was struck

  44. 44.

    billcinsd

    @Mike E: you can’t legally score with an arm, so that isn’t usually an issue

     

    eta: well, I guess a GK could throw the ball in the net from his penalty area, but could not be offside in one’s own penalty area

  47. 47.

    Mike E

    @billcinsd: Sure, but if this were the Euro zone with 15 more camera angles that would have been whistled no goal… maybe it was like the NFL replays: no clear and conclusive evidence to overturn, idk

  50. 50.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: Exactly my reaction.

    Sometimes trauma can bring out an artistic side that a person did not have before.  He has certainly been through a lot. ??

  51. 51.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: Well, not me in particular.  But he did talk about a lack of empathy in a more general sense.

    The biggest deficit that we have in our society and in the world right now is an empathy deficit.

    Barack Obama did speak to me, though, when i was in Iowa working for the campaign in 2007/2008 before the caucus.  On a different day I got to stand right next to him, and had my hand on his back.

    edit: see, Obama did have a time machine.  He was talking about the empathy deficit caused by T****, in the future!

  53. 53.

    HumboldtBlue

    @WaterGirl:

    That’s the best one. That’s classic meme.

    I know nothing of fine art, but I like what he’s done. Critics hate it, I found out after some goggling.

  54. 54.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Baud: ​
    And I didn’t even know what to expect, and I was still caught by surprise.

    Bobby is on, Brazil gonna up that attack.

  55. 55.

    Mike E

    Univision is airing a local ad in Spanish promoting covid vaccines with female health workers debunking the microchip myth, and assuring that the shots contain no live virus. I hope it works to get more takers

  56. 56.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: Just a different spelling. :-)

    It was really amazing.  I’m not sure how to describe it, but you could just feel that you were in the presence of greatness.  It was a visceral thing.  Never felt anything like that before or since.

  58. 58.

    shirk

    How soon did DiMaria recover and get back on the pitch? That sure looked like a gnarly match-ending injury at the time.

  59. 59.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Mo Salad: ​
    Ahem, that’s Bobby DAZZLER to you.

    Brazil’s midfield has been invisible.

    For an attacking player, Lautaro Martinez doesn’t have much pace.

  62. 62.

    J_A

    @Mike E: that was such an offside that even someone in my Brazilian hotel lobby screamed “ [Portuguese swear] offside!!!”

  64. 64.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Mo Salad:

    Yup.

    Great save, Martinez!

    Fuck Richarlison! Ya melon.

    That was a great pass, hair offside.

    The five subs plays a key role, sub the guy with the yellow to avoid a red and still have four more to make. I like it in Intl football.

  65. 65.

    Mary G

    The OC is learning and growing:

    Awww, bless their tiny hearts. Orange County venue cancels Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s planned America First rally https://t.co/bIAy5jIhLI— Dr. Cole McKinnon (@DrMcKinn) July 10, 2021

    From the OC Register article linked in the tweet:

    A Laguna Hills event center canceled plans to host an “America First” rally on July 17 after learning the speakers were slated to be two of the most controversial Republicans in Congress: Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

    “We just want to stay clear of that,” Javad Mirtavoosi, general manager of Pacific Hills Banquet & Event Center, said by phone Friday.

    Greene’s campaign disputed that account of how the cancellation transpired. And they’re still selling tickets for a rally, though they’re still trying to find an Orange County venue for the same day.

    “We’re very close to securing a location that will proudly host our America First Rally with Congresswoman Greene and Congressman Gaetz,” Nick Dyer, spokesman for Greene’s campaign, said Friday afternoon.

    Images started circulating on social media earlier this week with a flier promoting an America First rally in Laguna Hills on July 17 featuring Gaetz, R-Fla., and Green, R-Ga. The flier lists the location as the Pacific Hills center on Moulton Parkway.

    Mirtavoosi said that when the center booked the event they just expected a “gathering.”

    “As soon as we found out who the speakers were we immediately canceled it,” Mirtavoosi said.

    Laguna Hills is the rebranded name of Leisure World, one of the original Old Folks Only gated developments. Probably almost as many Republicans as in the Villages in Florida, so to be rejected there is surprising. Of course, they are still selling tickets despite not having a venue. I may go to protest if it’s accessible.

  67. 67.

    HumboldtBlue

    The referee has been excellent in a game that’s very hard to officiate.

    Ederson is uglier than a Trump rally.

  69. 69.

    Villago Delenda Est

    Bolsonaro must be nervous.  He’ll get part of the blame for a loss.  Just because he’s the TFG of Brasil.

  72. 72.

    Barbara

    @Chetan Murthy: ​1994 world cup was in the US. 1998 world cup was in France. I know because I was delayed in the Paris Airport with a large number of Spanish fans returning after Spain was eliminated. They were remarkably cheerful, really ebullient.

  76. 76.

    HumboldtBlue

    Yellow cards are out in force.​ 

    Imagine being able to bring on Vinicius Jr. in the 70th minute. Depth.

  80. 80.

    J_A

    @Mike E: for what is worth, except for Bolsonaro himself, all Brazilians I meet take CoVid extremely seriously, and testing and masks are everywhere.

  81. 81.

    Mike E

    @J_A: Glad to hear it. I admit I was perplexed by the sight of spectators when the whole entire tournament was void of them up til now

  85. 85.

    HumboldtBlue

    Helluva tackle by Otamendi.​​ 

    Argentina’s defense has been solid, can they hand for 10 more minutes?

  87. 87.

    Lyrebird

    @J_A: ​
     

    You spoke for me, too.

    Also, haven’t been commenting bc I can’t watch this year just due to work and fam. Glad to know the best clips will be on the Net forever.

  88. 88.

    Mike E

    @Mo Salad: oh that was snark… I wouldn’t put it past the guy rocketing in to watch an event with no fans*

    *but the joke is ruined by their presence, alas

  89. 89.

    HumboldtBlue

    Look at Lionel Messi with the hard press in the dying minutes.

    Emi Martinez!

    Messi! WTF!

  97. 97.

    J_A

    @WaterGirl: a specific player that gets two yellow cards is out indeed. But there’s been like 8 or 9 so far I think. Only committed by different players

  99. 99.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    @HumboldtBlue: As an art historian and retired museum professional, I’m impressed.  FYI, I was asked to review a touring show of Bush the Lesser’s art, and I said, you don’t want me in the room.  Not because of politics, but because I did better in elementary school with paint by numbers.

  100. 100.

    billcinsd

    Neymar actually fights through an attempted tackle. Argentina is probably the class if South American rugby

  103. 103.

    billcinsd

    Rodrigo DePaul has been immense. This is turning into the 1950 World Cup Final [eta] for Brazil.

    Messi gets his trophy

  106. 106.

    J_A

    And it’s over.

    Go Messi. I’m happy for you.

    and the room here is emptying fast, and quietly

  108. 108.

    HumboldtBlue

    @J_A: ​

    The work between the midfield and the back line was the difference in the game. And you have Martinez in goal with two big saves. They were excellent.

    Ya gotta love the love you see for Messi.

  109. 109.

    Mike E

    That was a slugfest. Mexico v Haiti probably won’t be able to measure up methinks

  113. 113.

    billcinsd

    @Mike E: I don’t know, Haiti just had their government’s leader assassinated. They might take that out on el tri

  114. 114.

    prostratedragon

    Good game. To me as a hoops fan, Argentina’s impressive ball control in the middle made the difference. Congratulations to them, and salute to Brazil. (Nice note is a lot of friendship between the teams.)

  115. 115.

    HumboldtBlue

    That’s prolly the last time we see Messi, Aguero and Di Maria internationally.

  117. 117.

    HumboldtBlue

    @billcinsd: ​ 
    It’s 18 months away. It’s being played in slave-labor Qatar in the autumn due to heat. A travesty all around as both FIFA and UEFA get more and more comfortable with the most vile regimes in the world.

  120. 120.

    trollhattan

    In case it matters, today’s official high temp was 113. Grilled some chicken this evening out back, because why not? People pay for saunas, ours is gratis.

    Better days.

  121. 121.

    trollhattan

    Watching Rugby Union and they have a player mic-ed up and are mixing his audio in with the announcers, making it sound like the announcers are calling the game while out for a run. Not sure this adds to the sofa experience, guys.

  122. 122.

    billcinsd

    @HumboldtBlue: most of the players aren’t going to care about the slave labor. I think it likely Aguero won’t be there, Messi probably depends on where he ends up, Di Maria I don’t see retiring yet.

    Also, track level AC seemed to work reasonably well at the World Track and Field Championships

  123. 123.

    billcinsd

    @trollhattan: Pro Lacrosse has players mic’ed up, but seem to only talk to them when they come off the field — which happens way more in Lacrosse than rugby

  125. 125.

    smike

    @billcinsd:

    I am going to try watching Lacrosse sometime. Your comment sent me down a rabbit hole (to acquaint myself with the sport), and it sounds interesting.

  126. 126.

    billcinsd

    @smike: It’s a fun game to watch. There is a PLL game on NBCSports tomorrow at 7:30 PM. The biggest problem with lacrosse is that a large number of players end up working on Wall Street

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