In one of the biggest international describes in the world, Brazil defeated Argentina with 2-0 and advanced to the finals of the Copa America tournament.
Selecao’s strikers from the Premier League, Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus, had a show of their own, scoring and assisting between themselves. Meanwhile, the Argentinian team didn’t have any luck as their superstars, Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi hit the woodwork each one time.
After the match, Barcelona’s forward ripped the referees, saying that they deliberately helped Brazil and were preventing his team from endangering the host nation. Messi stressed out the fact that the referee from Paraguay Roddy Zambrano didn’t use VAR system not once during 90 minutes.
“[The officials] were tired of making bulls— calls at this Copa and they didn’t go to VAR. It was unbelievable,” Messi exploded after the game.
He continued with explaining stuff, but said one very interesting thing. According to him, Brazil is heavily favorized in this championship, and hosts are controlling the officials.
“Because we did everything to try and advance but [the officials] stacked the deck against us. I don’t believe they will do anything because Brazil controls everything, so it is very complicated.”
Brazil scored after 19 minutes when Firmino found Jesus in the box, who didn’t have any troubles in netting from a nearby. The same duo was in the middle of attention in the 71st minute, only this time, it was Liverpool’s striker who beat Franco Armani.
Hosts were shining from happiness after the game, not only because they beat the great rival, but also because of reaching the chance for winning one major trophy.
“There is one more step to go before we fulfill our objective,” Dani Alves, Brazil’s captain said.
On the other side, Argentina really didn’t have the least of luck. During the first 45 minutes, Sergio Aguero’s header struck the bar. Afterward, Messi’s kick ended up deflecting off the post in the 56th minute.
Also, there was a moment when the referee didn’t want to check VAR and see if there was a penalty for Argentina five minutes before the second goal. Messi was fouled, Zambrano showed that the foul was outside the box, and all the visiting players suggested that he checks the VAR. The Paraguayan referee declined that.
Apart from this, the match was hard, often very physical, but very interesting to watch.
Brazil now advances to the finals of Copa America for the first time since 2007. Back then at Copa America 42 in Venezuela, they defeated the Argentinians in the finals with 3-0. From the 38th edition up until then, this nation dominated the South American soccer, winning this competition four times in five tournaments.
But ever since, Selecao hasn’t been near the trophy.
Things are even worse for Argentina who won the last Copa America in 1993. In the previous five tournament editions, they appeared in the finals twice and lost each time. Both Brazil and Chile beat them twice.
For Lionel Messi, this is another big blow, and maybe the last time he played for the national team. His frustrations over constant failures in Argentina’s jersey are growing bigger and bigger year after year, and he already decided to quit playing for them one couple of occasions.
However, he always came back, hoping that things might change. For now, that didn’t happen.
The second semifinal between Chile and Peru is scheduled for today. The final match will be played this Sunday, at the famous Maracana stadium.
Nikola Velickovic is a sports journalist who loves to write and read on all sports. Nikola contributes both news updates and functions as a sports breaking news writer at WagerBop.
Email: nikola@wagerbop.com
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