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The Maracana will host the Copa America 2021 final between arch-rivals Brazil and Argentina on Saturday.
Brazil are looking to retain the Copa America and their bragging rights as they gear up for the high-profile final. Argentina will look to end a 28-year drought in the competition and are willing to play their hearts out for Lionel Messi.
Brazil and Argentina have been a cut above the rest at Copa America 2021
Brazil came into the tournament as the favourites and have largely cruised their way to the finals. They were put through their paces by Chile and Peru in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively and were only able to score a goal in each match.
Argentina defeated Colombia in the semi-final in a shootout thanks to some Emiliano Martinez heroics. The likes of Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul and Guido Rodriguez are all in good form. As such, the Copa America 2021 final promises to be an exciting matchup.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five key battles which could decide the final between Brazil and Argentina.
#5 Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) vs Marquinhos (Brazil)
The Argentinian striker Lautaro Martinez has been in fine form at the Copa America 2021. The 23-year-old has scored in all of La Albiceleste's last three games and has played brilliantly alongside Lionel Messi.
Marquinhos has been as reliable a presence in the backline as ever for Brazil this tournament. However, it would be fair to say that he has not exactly come against an opposition that's as talented as Argentina.
Marquinhos will have his work cut out against Martinez, who is always looking to pop up in little pockets inside the area. Ably supported by the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Lo Celso, Martinez is not going to make it an easy evening for Marquinhos.
#4 Guido Rodriguez (Argentina) vs Lucas Paqueta (Brazil)
Guido Rodriguez has been one of Argentina's most consistent players this tournament. He has done a good job in defensive midfield but will have quite a task on his hands trying to contain the 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder.
Brazil have found a rare goalscoring outlet in Lucas Paqueta. He has now scored the winner for the Selecao in successive games. Paqueta was excellent in the semifinal against Peru. He made five tackles and registered three key passes over the course of the 90 minutes.
#3 Giovanni Lo Celso (Argentina) vs Casemiro (Brazil)
Giovanni Lo Celso put in a shift in the semi-final against Colombia. He has been a creative presence in the center of the park for Lionel Scaloni's men and has been able to play some killer balls to the likes of Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez.
Lo Celso has had a good tournament and has been a standout performer for Argentina. Scaloni will be well advised to keep him as a starter as he helps his team achieve the right amount of balance in midfield.
The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder will be up against Real Madrid destroyer Casemiro. The Brazilian defensive midfielder has had a good tournament as well and was at the heart of everything good that Brazil produced against Peru.
Casemiro will need to be at the top of his game as they prepare to take on Lionel Messi and co.
#2 Neymar Jr. (Brazil) vs German Pezzella (Argentina)
Neymar Jr. has been Brazil's best player at Copa America 2021 and he will undoubtedly be their talisman against Argentina as well. The Paris Saint-Germain attacker has been at his fluid best, darting past defenders and conjuring up some excellent passes.
He provided the assist for Lucas Paqueta's goal in the Copa America 2021 semi-final against Peru. Neymar is the second most successful dribbler in the tournament after Messi. He also has two goals and three assists to his name as well.
Argentina centre-back German Pezzella has been good with his positioning and has been able to stand his ground against some good attackers. But Neymar Jr. is undoubtedly the most threatening player he will face at the tournament and he will need to be on high-alert all game.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina) vs Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Lionel Messi is a man on a mission. He will refuse to end his career without having won a major trophy with Argentina and has given it his best at the Copa America 2021. The Barcelona man currently tops the goalscoring chart with four goals and the assists chart with five to his name.
Messi has been in incredible form and it has been a joy to watch him throughout the competition. The final deserves a vintage Lionel Messi performance and he will be up against veteran centre-back Thiago Silva.
Silva produced a commanding performance in the semi-final against Peru. Tite will want his centre-backs to allow no room whatsoever for Lionel Messi as he knows just how to make them pay for it. This could very well be the battle that determines the champions of this edition of the continental tournament.
