One year after obtaining the Copa América against Brazil, the keys to the historic consecration

World context: Covid-19, change of venue and uncertainty

the 47th edition of the Copa América was going to be played jointly between Argentina and Colombia but both countries withdrew from the organization due to Covid-19 and the social crisis, respectively. Brazil, which at the time was one of the countries most affected by the new virus, offered to host and organized the tournament in just 13 days.

Armed of the campus

Lionel Scaloni and his coaching staff formed a squad that ratified the generational change that had begun since the beginning of the cycle in September 2018. The coach was decisive in his decisions, for example, by giving Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez the title of the goal over Franco Armani, in those days conditioned by a delayed epidemiological discharge.

Messi’s commitment and the illusion to “deliver the blow”

On June 13, prior to the debut against Chile, the captain of the national team gave a press conference in which he stated that the Copa América in Brazil was the “moment” to “strike” and of course his contribution was decisive: top scorer, assister and figure of the tournament.

The conviction was general since three days before, Rodrigo De Paul recorded a prescient video that was later viralized with the following words: “We are going to win the 2021 Copa América in Brazil and we are going to go down in history, for life.”

The debut with Chile

The team entered the tournament with a disputed 1-1 draw against Chile in Rio de Janeiro with a great goal from Lionel Messi from a free kick. Martínez lined up in the starting team despite the fact that Armani was already recovered from the coronavirus. “Dibu” began to show his potential after covering a penalty (charged at the request of the VAR) to Arturo Vidal that later ended in Eduardo Vargas’ rebound goal.

First triumph and the appearance of the replacement

Argentina got its first victory in the tournament on the second date against Uruguay, who came with rest after being released on the first day. The winning goal by the least was scored by Guido Rodríguez, who had joined the team due to an injury to Leandro Paredes, after a good cross from Messi, who began his streak of assists.

Classification against Paraguay with the connection Di María-“Papu” Gómez

For the third game of the group stage, Scaloni started with the rotation and rested, among others, Rodrigo De Paul. It was the first game since the start for Alejandro “Papu” Gómez and Ángel Di María, who put together the great play of the final 1-0 that defined the classification to the quarterfinals.

Goleada to Bolivia with doublet of Messi and the “Kun”

The “Albiceleste” closed the first part of the tournament with a resounding 4-1 win over the weak Bolivian team with a completely alternative team but always with the presence of Messi, author of a brace. This game will be marked for having been the last of Sergio “Kun” Agüero with the Argentine national team.

Hard crossing with the Ecuador of Gustavo Alfaro

At the start of the knockout stage, Scaloni’s team faced a tough quarter-final tie against Gustavo Alfaro’s Ecuador. The match opened with a goal from Rodrigo De Paul after a pass from Messi and was extended with a new assist of 10 for Lautaro Martínez.

The closure was in charge of the conductor: a foul on Di María and a perfect free kick from the best in the world on the edge of the area for the final 3-0.

Semifinal against Colombia: the figure of Dibu Martínez

Another great start to the game with a goal from Lautaro with a new pass from Messi before ten minutes, but Colombia equalized at the start of the second half with Luis Díaz, who beat Germán Pezzella (“Cuti” Romero) again between cottons) and made it 1-1.

The final part of the second half was exciting, with an unstoppable Messi and the image with blood on his left ankle. Argentina was able to win it with a shot at the 10 post and a save on the line by Wilmar Barrios.

The penalty shootout was a separate story: “Dibu” Martínez became a giant with three saved penalties. “Look, I eat you,” the archer’s defiant phrase to his rivals, became a meme. The image of Messi’s “BailáNow” dedicated to Yerry Mina was also immortalized.

The “Maracanazo” and the end of the negative streak without titles

And finally came the decisive match. Final against the classic rival in the mythical stadium of Rio de Janeiro. “Cuti” Romero and Di Maria from the start. Minute 22 of the first half and Argentina struck first again. Great long pass from De Paul to “Fideo” and precise definition above Ederson. Brazil charged with Neymar at a high level but the Scaloneta held on until the end.

The relief came after the final whistle, Messi threw himself on the floor with his hands on his face and could not get out of the human mountain until the last teammate came to hug him.