Argentina will meet Brazil in the Copa America final after the South Americans defeated Colombia 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday after a 1-1 draw in their semi-final in Brasilia.
Argentina advanced to the championship decider when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stopped goals from Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina, and Edwin Cardona of Colombia. Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes, and Lautaro Martinez all scored from the penalty spot to send Argentina to the final.
Martinez gave Argentina the lead after six minutes, but Colombia’s Luis Diaz equalized after an hour. Argentina will meet Brazil in the Maracana final on Saturday after the incumbent champions defeated Peru 1-0 in the first semi-final on Monday.
Argentina’s title match versus arch-rivals Brazil on Sunday will be their 29th final. The last time they won the continental title was in 1993, and they also lost in the finals in 2004, 2007, 2015, and 2016. Last season, they finished third after losing in the semi-finals against Brazil.
Argentina came close to winning the World Cup in Brazil during this time period on the international scene. In 2014 final, though, a Mario Gotze extra-time goal put an end to their hopes. Albiceleste now has another chance to redeem themselves in Brazil.
Colombia was attempting to reach its first Copa America final after failing to go past the quarterfinals in any of their previous six neutral venues. They only made it to the final because they played at least one game at home (1975 and 2001). And they appeared to be a highly driven group.
