The memory of Argentina, champion of the Copa América, one of the best sporting moments of 2021
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The memory of Argentina, champ ...
The Argentine National Team, finally, was able to break the spell in 2021. After a 28-year drought without titles, the Albiceleste team became champion of the Copa América. And he did it ideally: defeating Brazil at the Maracana in one of the great sporting moments of the year.
Thus Lionel Messi was able to win the first title of his career with the national team, after losing four consecutive finals, in the 2007, 2015, 2016 editions of the Copa América and in the 2014 World Cup.
It was undoubtedly a team that ripped from smallest to largest and that although he did not shine for his game, he had high points in some individualities that made the difference.
Starting from back to front, goalkeeper Emiliano Esque Martínez was one of the team's great revelations. The Mar del Plata player became a giant in goal, was key in the penalties against Colombia, in the semifinals, and showed enormous security every time he had to intervene.
Another high point of the defense was Cristian Romero (23 years old), Tottenham defender, who earned an undisputed place accompanying Nicolás Otamendi and showed that Argentina has a central hierarchy for a long time.
Rodrigo de Paul, champion of the fight and the game, was always one of Lionel Scaloni's favorites and rounded off a great Copa América: they played an unforgettable and perfect final against Brazil, out of sheer courage and display.
The experience, of course, was in Messi, author of four goals and the great reference of a renewed team, which also featured figures from La Pulga such as Angel Di María, who scored the goal in the final, and Nicolás Otamendi.
Scaloni was consecrated as DT arriving from belowWithout a "badge" to occupy such a relevant position, but with the passage of time he proved to be up to the task, adding new players to accompany Messi and building a very strong and united human group.
Argentina's journey in Brazil started with a draw in Group A against Chile by 1 to 1, and victories against Uruguay (1 to 0), Paraguay (1 to 0) and Bolivia (4 to 1). Thus the team finished first in their zone with 10 points, and got into the quarterfinals. There he beat Ecuador 3 to 0 with goals from De Paul, Messi and Lautaro Martínez and suffered in the semifinals on penalties against Colombia, wheredra Martínez patented the famous phrase "look how I eat you", saving three penalties and leaving the team in the end of the tournament.
Brazil, at the Maracana, was waiting for the National Team, and this time the team did not fail: with a great goal from Di María and a great game from De Paul, plus the dedication of all, they won a historic and memorable victory.
He broke a long streak, pulled his mufa off himself and look optimistically at what is coming: the World Cup in Qatar.