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In a dream final for football fans, Argentina booked their place in the Copa America 2021 title match against Brazil following a semi-final shootout win over Columbia. Earlier, hosts and holders Brazil beat Peru by a solitary goal to move to within one win of a successful title defence.
It has been a surreal 47th edition of the Copa America on many counts. The world's oldest international football tournament has been played to empty stands owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, Brazil weren't originally supposed to host this edition of the tournament. They only came into the fray in the eleventh hour after the two co-hosts, Colombia and Argentina, pulled out due to different reasons.
However, once the action got underway, Brazil and Argentina cruised through the group stage. They then successfully navigated two knockout rounds to book their place in the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where a limited number of fans will be in attendance.
Ahead of the marquee title match between Brazil and Argentina, let us have a look at five interesting facts involving the two teams.
#5 Argentina have reached more Copa America finals than any other country
Argentina have reached the Copa America final more times than any other country to have played in the 105-year-old tournament.
It is to be noted that the term 'final' is used liberally here to include top-two finishes, as some of the earlier editions of the Copa America did not have a designated final. The team finishing top after a round-robin group stage was declared the winner in such editions. Meanwhile, the team finishing second was named the runner-up.
Following their nervy shootout win over Columbia in the semi-finals, Argentina reached the Copa America final for a record-extending 29th time, which is eight more than the next best country (Uruguay).
La Albiceleste have lost their last four Copa America finals, though, which is something they'd like to change when they lock horns with Brazil at the Maracana this weekend.
#4 Argentina are one title away from joining Uruguay as the joint-most successful team in Copa America history
One of six teams to have won multiple Copa America titles, Argentina (14) trail only record champions Uruguay for the most titles in the world's oldest international football competition.
Since their last Copa America triumph in 1993, La Albiceleste have failed to win a major title. They lost five major finals in the intervening period - four at the Copa America and one at the FIFA World Cup.
Following their last win almost three decades ago, Argentina became the most successful team in Copa America history. However, Uruguay won two titles since then (1995, 2011) to leapfrog Argentina in the competition's all-time standings.
La Albiceleste have had two opportunities to go level with Uruguay since the latter's last Copa America triumph, only to falter against Chile in the 2015-16 finals. They'll hope to be third-time lucky in their third Copa America final in four appearances.
#3 Lionel Messi needs two more goals to become the most prolific South American scorer in international football
Argentina's inspirational captain Lionel Messi has led his team from the front at Copa America 2021.
With four goals and five assists, the 34-year-old leads both charts in the competition. His latest goal - a sumptuous free-kick in a 3-0 quarter-final win over Ecuador - moved him (76) within one goal of the legendary Pele's tally.
If the Argentina captain nets a brace against Brazil in the final on Saturday, he'll become the most prolific South American goalscorer in international football.
Messi, who is the Albiceleste's all-time goalscorer and appearance maker, has scored 76 goals in 150 appearances in all competitions for the 14-time Copa America winners.
#2 Brazil have not lost a competitive game against Argentina in almost three decades
Brazil and Argentina have one of the most storied rivalries in international football. In over 100 meetings in all competitions between the two teams, the Selecao have beaten the Albiceleste 46 times and lost on 40 occasions.
Although Brazil have lost two of their last three meetings with Argentina, both defeats came in friendlies. The Selecao have not lost a competitive game against the Albiceleste since the 1993 Copa America quarter-finals, which they lost on penalties.
Since then, Brazil have won six of their eight competitive meetings with Argentina. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Selecao beat Lionel Messi and co 2-0 in the 2019 Copa America semi-final. That marked the fifth straight time Argentina were eliminated from the Copa America by Brazil.
#1 Brazil have never lost a Copa America tournament they have hosted
Brazil have a proud record as hosts of the Copa America. On five previous occasions when the Selecao hosted the competition, dating back to 1919, they have triumphed each time.
The first time that happened was in 1919, with the next four instances occurring in 1922, 1949, 1989 and 2019.
Only 15-time winners Uruguay have a better record than Brazil while hosting the competition, triumphing all seven times they have hosted the Copa America.
With a win over Argentina on Saturday, Brazil will emulate Uruguay (1923-24) as the only team to triumph while hosting successive editions of the Copa America.
