Brazil v Argentina in the final of the Copa América

The 2021 Copa América final will be between Brazil and Argentina. The squad featuring Barça strikers Leo Messi and Sergio Agüero needed a penalty shoot out to get the better of a stubborn Colombia side in the semi-final played in Brasilia. The two giants of South American football will now come to face to face in the final  for the first time since Brazil's 3-0 win back in 2007 with Argentina looking to equal Uruguay's record of 15 Copa América titles. 

The game started well for Lionel Scaloni's Argentina side, Lautaro Martínez giving them the lead from a Leo Messi pass after just seven minutes of the match. However, Luis Díaz equalised for los cafeteros just after the hour mark and despite both sides having chances to win the game in normal and extra time, the match went to a penalty shoot out. 

Messi on target in penalty shoot out

The hero of the hour for Argentina in the penalty shoot out was goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. After Messi had opened the series of spot kicks with a well taken effort to put the albiceleste ahead, Juan Cuadrado leveled things up for Colombia. Step forward keeper Martínez who then three of the next four Colombian penalties, the final of which from Edwin Cardona booked Argentina's place in the final in the Maracaná Stadium in Rio de Janiero in the early hours of Sunday morning, kick off 2.00am CEST. 

Sergio Agüero, an unused substitute in the semi-final, and Leo Messi will come face to face with Barça team mate Emerson Royal as Brazil attempt to retain the trophy they won in 2019.