Lionel Messi Set For Historic Send-off In Copa America Final Against Colombia

Lionel Messi’s potential last international game is on the horizon as Argentina takes on Colombia in the Copa America final. The match will be held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium this Sunday. Argentina is aiming for their 16th Copa America title, which would also be their second consecutive win after defeating Brazil in 2021.

Colombia, unbeaten in 28 games and led by an in-form James Rodriguez, poses a significant challenge. Opta data gives Argentina a 50.9% chance of winning within 90 minutes and a 63% overall likelihood of lifting the trophy. Colombia has a 25.4% chance of winning outright and a 23.6% chance of pushing the match to extra time and possibly penalties.

Historically, Argentina has won seven of their 15 Copa encounters with Colombia, who have only one victory in their last 12 meetings. Messi, contemplating international retirement, could cap his illustrious career with a third major tournament win, having previously led Argentina to victories in the 2021 Copa and the 2022 World Cup.

Messi’s goal in the semi-final against Canada marked a historic achievement, with goals in six different Copa America editions, matching Zizinho's record from 1957. He also set a new record for the longest gap between first and last Copa goals at 17 years.

Despite Argentina's star quality, Colombia has arguably been the standout team of the tournament. They topped Group D and ousted favored Uruguay in the semi-finals, even withstanding a red card for Daniel Munoz. Their efficient attack and solid defense have been key factors.

Colombia has scored a tournament-high 12 goals from 8.49 expected goals (xG) and conceded only twice. They have also maintained a low expected goals against (0.51 xGA) and a strong defensive record in terms of shots faced.

Key Players to Watch

Angel Di Maria, playing his final international match, is another crucial player for Argentina. Known for his big-game performances, he scored in both the 2021 Copa final and the 2022 World Cup final. Di Maria ranks among the top for chance creation in the tournament along with Messi.

On the Colombian side, James Rodriguez has re-emerged as a significant force, leading the competition with six assists, surpassing Messi’s record from 2021. Twelve of his 17 created chances have come from set-pieces, contributing to Colombia’s five goals from corners or indirect free-kicks.

The Anticipated Final

Messi’s potential swansong and Colombia’s impressive form set the stage for a highly anticipated and closely contested final where both teams look to make history. The outcome remains uncertain but promises excitement for football fans worldwide.