Argentina forward Lionel Messi. (Photo : Getty Images)
South America giants Argentina and Chile will reprise last year's final as they once again face each other this summer for the 2016 Copa América Centenario trophy at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, June 26.
Argentina defeated tournament host the United States, 4-0, at the NRG Stadium in Houston on Tuesday in what looked like a 90-minute soccer clinic as five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi and his crew freely showcased their obvious dominance on the pitch over the Americans, as per ESPN.
The scoring started early as Hebei China Fortune striker Ezequiel Lavezzi headed the first goal right at the third minute from a brilliant volley pass by Messi.
The Argentina captain himself then netted the second one at the 32nd via an unbelievable penalty kick that saw the ball curve from right to left then back to the upper right corner of the goal just inches away from the left hand of USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, to put the FIFA world no. 1 team on top by two goals at the half.
Gonzalo Higuaín then tip-toed to score the team's third goal just five minutes after the restart before Messi once again assisted, this time to Higuaín, at the 86th minute to complete the four-goal haul of La Albiceleste.
Meanwhile, Chile, who won the Cup last year, 4-1 on penalties, after finishing regulation time with Argentina in a goalless draw, is coming off a 2-0 victory over Colombia on Wednesday at the Soldier in Chicago, The Guardian reported.
In a match delayed by bad weather, head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi's side started the game strongly as they scored two early goals at the seventh and 11th minutes with strikes from Bayer Leverkusen's Charles Aranguiz and Universidad Católica's Jose Pedro Fuenzalida respectively.
La Roja is expected to come out with their A-game against La Albiceleste in the final with star midfielder Arturo Vidal coming back from suspension.
Argentina defeated Chile, 2-1, during their group stage opener even without Messi and so it would be hard to bet on the latter claiming their second straight Copa title.
The predicted result is a 3-1 win for Argentina.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Romero; Mercado, Otamendi, Funes Mori, Rojo; Fernandez, Mascherano, Banega; Messi, Higuaín, Di Maria
Chile starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bravo; Isla, Medel, Jara, Beausejour; Aranguiz, Vidal, Hernandez; Fuenzalida, Vargas, Sanchez
