This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
On July 6, 2021, Argentina secured a spot in the Copa America final with a thrilling 1-1 draw against Colombia, which they won in a shootout. The match, played at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, was an intense and end-to-end affair, punctuated by 46 fouls and 10 yellow cards.
Argentina's Lionel Messi was the star of the show, notching his fifth assist of the tournament to add to his four goals. He provided a superb pass to Giovani Lo Celso, who then rolled the ball to Lautaro Martinez to fire home a low shot and give Argentina the lead.
However, Colombia found their footing soon after and hit the woodwork twice in a minute towards the end of the first half. They eventually equalized on the hour mark when Luis Diaz finished from a tight angle to complete a surprise counter attack.
Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero of the match, saving three penalties in the shootout to take his team into the final. Martinez, known for his trash talk, distracted Colombia's players with a barrage of verbal jabs, saving from Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, and Edwin Cardona.
Argentina are now unbeaten in 19 games, with their last loss coming to Brazil in the semi-final of the 2019 Copa America. They will face Brazil in the final on Saturday, seeking to win their first major international title since lifting the Copa America in 1993.
