Brazil have arguably been the most impressive side throughout the tournament, taking 10 points from a possible 12 during the group stage before grinding out 1-0 wins over Chile and Peru to book their place in the final.
Argentina are also unbeaten in the competition, as they go in search of their first major trophy since 1993, although Lionel Scaloni’s side needed the heroics of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to overcome Colombia on penalties in the semi-finals.
El
hoy le prestó su capa de superhéroe
¡Los abraza todo un país!
@CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/lW0ikbOcgR
— Selección Argentina
(@Argentina) July 7, 2021
This will be the 112th clash between the two giants of South American football, with Brazil edging the head-to-head meetings with 46 wins compared to Argentina’s 40.
Cruzamento de Neymar + cabeçada de Miranda = Brasil conquistando o Superclássico das Américas 2018! Quem lembra desse jogo? Sábado tem mais uma decisão contra os argentinos e vamos buscar a taça!
pic.twitter.com/7Gtn7taHvD
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) July 7, 2021
Selecao Success on the Cards
Brazil will head into Saturday’s final boasting a 13-match unbeaten run, with 12 of those games ending in victory, the only exception being their group stage draw with Ecuador at this tournament when their place in the knockout stages was already assured.
Argentina’s unbeaten run stretches back even further, as La Albiceleste have not lost any of their previous 19 fixtures since suffering a 2-0 defeat to Brazil in July 2019.
Something will have to give this weekend and Brazil’s home advantage could prove key in a game that is likely to be decided by fine margins.
The Selecao have also won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, and given they have scored the most goals and conceded the fewest at this year’s Copa, they look good value to win Saturday’s contest at 6/5.
Defence Has Become Brazil’s Biggest Weapon
The history of the Brazilian national side has been built on the flair and individual qualities of players such as Pele, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, while the current squad boasts a star in a similar mould in Neymar.
However, head coach Tite has placed more emphasis on defensive resilience during his tenure and that has certainly had the desired effect, as Brazil have conceded just two goals across their last 10 games.
Back-to-back clean sheets during the knockout stages has further emphasised Brazil’s newfound defensive stability, with captain Thiago Silva and Marquinhos forming a solid base at the heart of the team’s backline.
Argentina have obvious attacking qualities that could hurt Brazil, most notably captain Lionel Messi, but the Selecao have not conceded in two of their last three meetings with La Albiceleste and they are available at 11/5 to win Saturday’s final to nil.
More Messi Misery on the International Stage
Barcelona star Messi has won everything there is to win at club level, but he is yet to pick up a major international honour with Argentina, having previously lost three Copa America finals with his country in 2007, 2015 and 2016.
La Albiceleste’s last major title came at the 1993 Copa America, and it appears Messi has been on a personal mission to end that 29-year wait, as he is the leading scorer at this year’s finals, having netted four goals to date.
Messi turned 34 last month and this could well prove his last chance to win something with his country and he can be backed at 9/4 to get on the scoresheet this weekend.
However, it could well be more misery for Messi and co at the Maracana, with the skipper’s former Barcelona team-mate Neymar perhaps more likely to take centre stage,
Neymar missed Brazil’s Copa success of two years ago due to injury, but he has scored seven goals in his last nine appearances for his country and is priced at 7/4 to notch once again this weekend.
*All odds correct at time of writing