On Saturday, at 5pm local time, Chile; a country of just over 18 million people stretching nearly the length of a continent, will grind to a halt and turn toward the country’s national stadium (creatively named Estadio Nacional) in the capital city of Santiago. There the final of The Copa America will be played out between their heroes and neighbours Argentina, in what amount to the perhaps the biggest game in Chile’s chequered footballing history. In fact, they have never won the tournament before, losing 15 semi-finals and four finals, the most recent of which was a 1-0 loss to 15 time winners Uruguay.
Chile’s route to this year’s final has been fairly pain free; they have only been behind in one of their five contests (and that was only for a combined 13 minutes), and are yet to lose. That was in a 3-3 thriller with Mexico in the group stages; however, despite that minor setback they would go on to beat Bolivia 5-0 in the final fixture in group A, topping it on seven points having scored ten goals. Their two knockout fixtures, against Peru and Uruguay were slightly more tortuous affairs; though, while only winning each game by a single goal, Chile dictated the play in both and always seemed likely to progress.
As for the final itself, the host’s will be underdogs for the first time in the tournament against an Argentina side that more closely resembles a modern fighter jet, such is the diversity and effectiveness of its weaponry, than a football team. That impressive arsenal is of course headlined by none other than Lionel Messi, though becoming overly obsessed with stopping the best player perhaps in the history of the sport risks losing sight of the supremely talented attackers that supplement him. So, while he will be priority number one for Head Coach Jorge Sampaoli and his staff, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Javier Pastore all warrant serious attention themselves. Pastore in particular identified himself and perhaps the key player outside of Messi following a wonderful performance in the semi-final. It was his work at the heart of many of Argentina’s attacks, linking the deeper lying Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia with the electric trio of Messi, Di Maria and Aguero, that was the catalyst for several of their goals on the night.
With Chile’s frailties in defence, coming in large part from playing Gary Medel out of position, as well as the absence of Gonzalo Jara – replaced by the virtually immobile Jose Rojas – they will not be able to simply man mark Argentina’s supporting cast out of the game, and will therefore have to work to cut the supply line to that front three, a task they are far better suited to. As the tournament has progressed, Sampaoli has continued to tinker with his formation, though in recent games he has settled on a 4-4-2 morphing into a 4-5-1 in defence as Alexis drops back into midfield. With Charles Aranguiz and Arturo Vidal also in that midfield as well, they are a very energetic, disruptive unit capable of pressing anywhere on the park.
As well as that, with Marcelo Diaz and Jorge Valdivia also in midfield; Diaz just in front of the back four, Valdivia a traditional number 10, Chile have two excellent passers of the ball and will expect to dominate possession even against this quality of opposition. In addition, Valdivia can open up any defence with his vast array of flick and tricks as well as his laser guided passing in and around the box. His increasing influence has given this side the incisiveness and creativity to break down teams when they drop deep against them, while retaining the ability to blow team apart on the counter.
In fact, despite the improvements Argentina have made defensively since The World Cup; owing largely to the inclusion of the imperious Nicolas Otamendi, Chile will feel they can get at this side. With the versatility and dynamism they have in midfield, they can afford to push forward without overly exposing themselves, a vital trait against a side as deadly as the one they’ll line up against. Ultimately that’s where the game will be won; if Argentina can hold their own against Vidal and co. they have the firepower to eviscerate this defence. However, if Chile can curtail the service into Di Maria, Aguero and Messi, while also supporting Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas in attack – both of which they are more than capable of – Chile will be set up to end the nation’s wait for a first major international trophy.