Lionel Messi wants to finish celebrating his birthday with a new victory in the Copa América. Argentina faces a downbeat Chile and, based on recent results, the Albiceleste team should be able to confirm its favoritism.
There are two opposite faces in the party. Argentina won its debut 2-0 against Canada, while. Chile tied without goals with Peru. The world and American champion arrives with six victories in a row (five friendlies and the victory against Canada), while Chile before the confrontation with the Peruvians had defeated Paraguay and Albania and lost to France and Ecuador. Argentina is #1 in the world, Chile is in 40th place.
With Ricardo Gareca as coach and still with historic players on its roster, with Eduardo Vargas, Claudio Bravo, Alexis Sánchez and Mauricio Isla, Chile has a lot to prove to fight its chances in a Copa América to which it does not arrive as a favorite. Argentina, on the other hand, seeks to confirm why it is the best candidate to lift the title.
Despite the differences, it is not a minor duel considering history: in 2015 and 2016 Chile defeated Argentina in the finals of the competition, and on penalties.
