Lionel Messi’s Argentina set up blockbuster Copa America final with Neymar’s Brazil after penalty shoot-out win over Colombia
- Argentine goalkeeper Martinez saves three penalties in shoot-out after tense 1-1 draw in regular time
- Brazil are ‘favourites’ but ‘we have the best player in the world [in Messi]’, said Martinez in tears
It will be Lionel Messi’s Argentina against Neymar’s Brazil in the Copa America final on Saturday.
Argentina won their semi-final against Colombia 3-2 on penalties after three saves by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Regular time ended 1-1 at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia on Tuesday.
Argentina have not captured a major title since 1993 when they won Copa America. On that occasion, the team eliminated Colombia 6-5 on penalties in the semi-final after a goalless draw.
Brazil beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to advance to the final.
It took Argentina only seven minutes to open the scoring. Rodrigo de Paul found Messi in the penalty box with a through pass. The star earned his fifth assist in the tournament with a pass to Lautaro Martinez, who put the ball in the right corner past Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
