By Kehinde Okeowo
La Albiceleste of Argentina defeated Brazil’s Selecao 1-0 in the final of this year’s Copa America to equal Uruguay’s record of 15 trophies in the completion and halt their 28 years wait.
The ill-tempered match between the two South American heavyweights, saw the center referee, Esteban Ostojich, issue nine yellow cards to the two teams in the course of the game.
The only goal of the match was scored by Angel di Maria of Argentina on the 22nd minute despite the fact that Brazil dominated possession and had more shots on goal.
A total of nine changes were also made by the two sides during the game, with Argentina making five substitutions to consolidate their lead, while the host made a total of four changes in a bid to turn the tie.
With this loss, Brazil has failed to increase their laurels tally from the eight they won in the completion so far and are now seven behind their arch-rival, Argentina.
They have also lost their brilliant unbeaten run of not losing a game at home in 625 weeks as well as lose a final at home for the first time in six editions.
Meanwhile, Leonel Messi, has finally put the weight of not winning any major competition with his national team behind him, having claimed the golden boot, while his Brazilian counterpart, Neymar Jnr, is still in the hunt for such feat.
After a fractious but entertaining final at the Copa America, attention of football fans will now shift to the final of the Euro 2020 which is between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium in London later today.
