(Reuters) – Argentina faces Colombia in Florida on Sunday in the race for a record-breaking 16th Copa America title, with a win seeing the defending champions overtake Uruguay as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Argentina has already secured victory in the 2021 Copa America and the 2022 World Cup, putting them on the brink of completing a historic treble.
The only comparable achievement in international football is Spain’s successive European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010.
“We always try to play the same way,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.
“The DNA of this team is the same, that’s the most important thing. We will aim to win in the final. The way we play football will not change, but it’s clear that the final is always special.”
Colombia, meanwhile, is hoping to win its first Copa America title in 23 years, having won its only title in 2001 as the hosts.
The team reached the final with a 1-0 win over Uruguay despite Daniel Munoz’s red card, and they enter the final on a 28-match unbeaten streak, their first unbeaten run since a win against Argentina in February 2022.
“We know who we are playing but we need to be motivated and understand it is a different game,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.
“This is a match that will top everything we’ve done so far and we have the opportunity to enjoy it and also have the opportunity to play against the world champions.”
James Rodriguez has been a key contributor to Colombia’s success, breaking Messi’s record with six assists in a single Copa America tournament.
“Nestor has found a way to plan the team around him and he is a great player, but we never focus on one player, we focus on the team,” Scaloni said of Rodriguez.
Argentina’s star forward Messi scored his first goal of the tournament in a 2-0 semi-final win over Canada but is looking to add another title to his illustrious career after losing his first four major finals since 2007 – one World Cup, three Copa Americas.
(Reporting by Field Level Media; Editing by William Mallard)
