Argentina forward Lionel Messi. (Photo : Getty Images)
One of the most highly-anticipated matchup in the 2016 Copa América Centenario is the clash of world no. 1 Argentina and world no. 3 Chile. They are scheduled to meet on Monday, June 6 at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara as part of Group D's double-header opening matchday.
The two clubs' lineups are both star-studded with globally-recognized footballers Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, and other familiar club faces suiting up for Argentina while popular players Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, Gary Medel, and Claudio Bravo to name a few are participating for Chile.
To put it bluntly, both teams are favorites to win the tournament in the end as they have the best rosters on paper. The match is indeed an All-Star game for the fans.
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This rematch of last year's final is expected to be an "electric, end-to-end affair with plenty of chances for both teams, and plenty of excellent saves from" top-notch goalkeepers Bravo of La Roja and Sergio Romero of La Albiceleste, as per ESPN.
Gerardo Martino's boys will go for revenge against Juan Antonio Pizzi's side after the Copa loss last summer. The last meeting between the two squads ended in a 2-1 win for Messi and company during the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers in March.
Messi, a five-time winner, is surprisingly unfulfilled because of the lack of trophies for his home country in the middle of a club career that is considered as one of the winningest and greatest of all time. This is allegedly the prime motivator of the talisman forward to win what is said to be the grandest Copa America in history, according to Sports Illustrated.
The Argentina skipper is set to turn 31 years old when the 2018 World Cup in Russia arrives and so this is perhaps the "last best chance" that he can do it for the love of his nation to cap off a legendary career, to say the least.
Meanwhile, Chile is led be new coach Pizzi and so the different approach and system may have an effect to the defending champions. The outcome, of course, remains to be seen.
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 victory for Argentina.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Romero; Mercado, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Rojo; Biglia, Mascherano, Lamela; Messi, Higuaín, Di Maria
Chile starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bravo; Fuenzalida, Medel, Roco, Mena; Aranguiz, Diaz, Vidal; Pinilla, Vargas, Sanchez
