Copa America 2019: Dysfunctional Brazil can shed scars of past against Argentina - but for a Lionel Messi miracle

This may be a pale imitation of the best Brazil, but this semi-final can become a cornerstone and key to their brick-by-brick rebuild

If you wanted to get a sense of how history lurks long in these parts, you didn’t need to wade particularly far into this Copa America. In fact, you barely needed to run a nail across the surface. It was the very first game and while football was struggling in its jostle to get Neymar and his affairs from centre stage, the host’s choice of garb was having better luck.

The wearing of white by Brazil against Bolivia may have been no more than their federation and Nike trying to reach into as many pockets and pull out as much cash as possible, but there was another significance. Not since the 1950 World Cup final had they clad themselves in the colour, as the Maracanãzo defeat had never been properly digested.

If that hasn’t gone away in all those decades, then of course the 2014 semi-final won’t wither and die any time soon either, but it’s here that Brazil return. Back to the scene of what they’ll say was the crime in the Mineirão – although for those recalling the events of five years ago more accurately, it can seem the scene of so much justice for that Luis Felipe Scolari-led side was an obnoxious, odious and self-absorbed group that whipped themselves into such a panicked frenzy to the point there was a wonderful joy in seeing them topple.

Nothing can and will likely ever make amends, but if the church crumbled that night, then it has to be about brick-by-brick in the rebuild. This could be a cornerstone and a key in moving on. Not just because of the location, but because of who they’re sharing it with.

In terms of quality rather than pomp, it may be more a bottle rocket than a firework but there needs to be a duel that strikes a match and sets this Copa America skywards. Right now there’s a feeling that few are looking in and much is down to the disappointment of a tournament where too many get through to the knock-outs from too few, and where three of four quarter-finals couldn’t provide a goal between them.

If that’s to change even for a brief moment, it’ll be this night that changes it. A match perched very high on any and every sporting bucket list that’s worthwhile, and one so emotive as to inspire more hope and excitement than the show on offer really deserves. It says a lot about the rivalry and emotion that it can throw up a curtain in front of reality.

The truth of course is that this is a pale imitation of the best of Brazil. The truth of course is that still should be plenty as Argentina are a relative mess. And still, it draws you in like a magnet.

The mere thought of later on causes each and every hair to stand tall to attention.

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Given the participants, it can be hard to look beyond the magnitude and break down a game. Let’s try though.

Brazil are far better but if there’s any grenade to lobbed into their midst, it will be mental frailty, with no nation splitting through their present-day pseudo-confidence and into the flabby worry better than their neighbours. While the rest of the planet tends to look at Brazil’s achievements and see them as the big brother, that’s not how it plays out up close and personal. Instead there’s always been a wonderful smugness from Argentina when the two mix, be it their fans with chests out brushing off the danger in one of the most violent places there is, and that assuredness often spreads onto the pitch.

Argentina celebrate defeating Venezuela in the quarter-finals (Getty)

Don’t underestimate the impact of what can seem a trite immeasurable for it’s that which Tite needs to dispel as he reminds his dressing room that they aren’t playing the past and they aren’t up against a reputation. Do their own thing instead and they’ll be in a final.

That’s despite the feeling throughout this competition that no one can pin them down or work out what to make of them. Way back in that opening game, the side may have been booed and jeered by impatience in the crowd that reminded that Brazilians don’t so much like or understand the sport very well, they just like winning. But that performance was so much of what you wanted from this team. They were calm despite little going their way, and they were structured in trying to make it go their way. Since then though while bringing about the thrills and spills wanted by onlookers, it’s been as if the breaks have been cut. We’re back to the madness and the scramble that has come to definite them in this era.

Brazil are still wrestling to decide an attacking midfield that best complements Roberto Firmino (AP)

It’s frantic as they throw themselves forward in hope rather than with any great plan. By the end of their quarter-final win over Paraguay, they’d more attackers in play than they had penalties that needed to be taken, as they tripped over themselves. It was like a jigsaw with far too many pieces, meaning no picture created was going to give much satisfaction.

Part of the problem is the number of players that can line up behind Roberto Firmino of a similar level, and how they all seem to jar with one another in some small way. Starting out, they had Richarlison looking lively but his game isn’t suited to the Liverpool striker, along with Philippe Coutinho around whom there are shards of class getting through the lack of belief, plus a very green David Neres. By the time they dismantled Peru in the group, Everton and Gabriel Jesus had gotten the nod. Come the knock-outs, a line-up that had scored five couldn’t score at all, although the 18 shots and endless chances created should worry Lionel Scaloni.

For a group that haven’t yet conceded a goal in the Copa America meanwhile, it’s a great conundrum. As they are anything but watertight. Allison may be adding to his chances of becoming the first goalkeeper making a Ballon D’or top three since Manuel Neuer in 2014 but that’s because of what’s in front of him. Thiago Silva still has the look of a man that needs God to help him through the game, Filipe Luis and Dani Alves are getting older and getting forward too much, and Casemiro never looks to be trusted on the back foot.

Can Argentina afford to rely on the hope of another Lionel Messi miracle? (AFP/Getty)

It’s a unit to be exploited but to do it Argentina will need more than Lionel Messi. They’ll need possession and pressure. Both are unlikely but you can expect him to still get the blame for what’s not of his making.

He hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks but as always when with his homeland, how much of that is down to him is up for debate as there simply isn’t the supporting cast. Stick Ed Norton into your local am-dram and you shouldn’t be expecting an Oscar standard. But because it’s Messi, you’ll always think miracles at the back of your mind and now is perhaps the best and last chance for him to give us a defining memory of his international days. If it isn’t a moment of magic for Argentina, it’ll need to be their counter that causes trouble, but it’s damn hard to see.

Brazil need to remember that and remember this is an inferior side across from them. If that happens they’ll prevail and if the chips fall their way they could prevail comfortably.

Such a new piece of history in these parts would finally allow them to move on just a little.