Argentina vs Brazil LIVE: Copa America result and final score tonight
Lionel Messi and Neymar meet in the Maracanã in South American football’s showpiece match
Argentina have won the Copa America after a 1-0 win over Brazil at the Maracana Stadium in Rio.
Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game with a fine lob in the first half, with most of the game’s best chances thereafter coming in a late flurry during the closing stages. The opening goal, when it came, was simplicity itself: a direct, diagonal pass toward Angel Di Maria, missed entirely by Renan Lodi - and then beautifully lofted over Ederson’s head and into the net from the PSG attacker.
Gabriel did force one smart save from Martinez, who tipped over his fierce half-volley, but the game’s best late chance fell at the other end moments later - but Lionel Messi failed to finish from close range.
In the end, it mattered not at all and served to wind down more precious seconds on the clock, as the resolute Albiceleste continued to cling on until they heard the most anticipated of all final whistles in almost 30 years: the one which signalled their first Copa America triumph since the Gabriel Batistuta-inspired triumph of 1993, and the end of the long wait of Messi to add major international honours to his long line of successes.
Follow live updates, analysis and reaction to the Copa America final below:
20’ - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
Richarlison bounces a deflected shot goalwards but it’s easy for Martinez to save. A fairly long, straight pass opened up that chance; in contrast Argentina try to play their way out from the back and give the ball away, almost giving up another chance only for an offside flag to go up.
17’ - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
First nice piece of combination play from Argentina as Messi, De Paul and Montiel get involved down the right channel, but eventually Brazil get enough numbers back to crowd them out. Neymar crashes into Romero on the break and it’s a foul.
We briefly had both Messi and Neymar on the floor there, 30 yards apart - all fine though and both continue.
14’ - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
First half-sight of goal as Neymar breaks into the box and getting an awkward half-volley in, but it’s blocked and Argentina clear. The No10 is complaining that his shorts have been ripped in a forceful challenge but the ref isn’t bothered.
10’ - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
Acuna and Danilo is quickly shaping up to be a nice battle down the flank. The Argentine left-back is powerful and rapid and Brazil’s right-back will have to be at his most diligent to keep track of his surges forward.
7' - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
Neymar with the first moment of showboating, a lovely little piece of control and flick over his own head to evade a challenge. Brazil with some early possession, but not too much penetration yet for either side.
3’ - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
There’s the first yellow. Montiel gets to the ball first and Fred slides in with his studs raking the right-back’s shin. The Brazil midfielder is into the book, despite his protestations.
2’ - Argentina 0-0 Brazil
It takes about 60 seconds for the referee to berate Argentina boss Scaloni for his touchline antics and in that time the ref himself has already been yelled at by Everton for not giving a free-kick.
Minute of silence
Ahead of kick-off at the Copa final we have a moment’s silence, in remembrance of those who have lost their lives during the pandemic across the last year and in thanks to the front line workers.
National anthems at the Copa America final
Both anthems played out - we can hear the players singing, not so much the fans scattered around! Too few and not enough mics.
Just minutes away from kick-off now.
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