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:
Argentina vs Brazil: Team news
Argentina might well be without superb centre-back Cristian Romero once more after he missed most of the tournament injured. Big decisions will come in midfield, where it might be Leandro Paredes or Guido Rodriguez as the anchor, and in attack, where Nicolas Gonzalez could start from the flank or an extra central option be called upon from the start.
Brazil are without striker Gabriel Jesus, who is suspended for his sending off against Chile in the quarters. Boss Tite must decide between Thiago Silva and Eder Militao at centre-back, while he has also rotated goalkeepers between Alisson and Ederson during the tournament. Lucas Paqueta could start after scoring in both quarters and semis.
Argentina vs Brazil: Odds
Argentina - 56/19 (13/8 to lift trophy)
Draw - 23/10
Brazil - 11/9 (5/8 to lift trophy)
Argentina vs Brazil: Prediction
Lionel Messi has been the talisman for his nation once again; one more big performance and he could finally get his hands on the international honours he has come so close to so many times before. Brazil 1-2 Argentina.
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