The Wait is over for Argentina as they win the Copa America.

 

Image Courtesy of Reuter.com

The Copa America is done and dusted. The long wait for a trophy is over for the Argentine team. A 28 years old wait for silverware has come to a close and Messi was there to first lift it. Emotional scenes occupied the Maracana Stadium when the final whistle was blown. Memories of the 1950 world cup finals that saw Brazil lose 2-1 to Uruguay on home soil occupied the minds of the Brazilians. It was a chance to retain the Copa America and continues Brazil’s dominance in South America.

Argentina took an early lead (22 mins into the game) and which proved to be the match winner through Angel Di Maria. Messi would have killed the game in the 90^th minute with an open chance but it was Di Maria’s chip that proved decisive after all. The Brazilians fought in the second half to draw level but a solid defense plus a brilliant Martinez denied the Selecao a win. It was highly tense and physical game that saw 9 Yellow cards produced (5 Argentina and 4 Brazil).

Messi has an international trophy and the so-called GOAT Debate with Ronaldo now strikes a balance. Messi captained Argentina to the finals playing an important role all through from the groups to the knock out stages. He takes home the best player of the tournament and the top scorer award on top of the Copa America Title. Messi would be at the forefront of winning his 7^th Ballon D’or with such an outstanding tournament.

Another man was Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine Shot stopper, who has had an amazing tournament on top of his outstanding season at Aston Villa. He took home a well-deserved golden glove award with four clean sheets and an outstanding display in the semis and in the finals.

It was an overall best tournament for Argentina and faced a matching opponent in the finals. The Team has been solid all through and the team spirit held them together all through the tournament. Most of all, the win was dedicated to Messi to whom the Argentines felt deserved the win. They had been through 3 back to back finals and no silverware. It was time to pull together and win it for Argentina’s best player after Maradona and one of the world’s best player. Maradona would have been happy for the lads.

On to the next as Messi is set to have his last dance on the World Cup in next year’s tournament. Will Argentina replicate the same on the much bigger stage against much bigger opponents?