From Alexis Sánchez to the last taxi driver in Santiago, from Michelle Bachelat to the absent-minded shearer in Punta Arneas, from Isabel Allenda to any miner from Arica, all of Chile, from north to south and east to west, dreams of seeing their nation crowned champions of the Copa América for the first time in their history – and on home soil in front of their own fans. Since last month the Chilean people have not talked about anything else. Especially with it being their first final in 28 years and the opponents being Argentina, the second best team in the world and the team of Martino and Messi.
The Estadio Nacional, which became a detention centre during the dictatorship of Pinochet, will be the venue for the hopes of 46,000 Chileans in attendance (only 2,000 Argentines will be there) and 18 million more who will come together from every corner of the country. Chile have never won a major title and the feeling is widespread: now or never. They have lost in finals four times before, including quality-packed generations who still remain in the background to this team of Bravo, Medel, Vidal or Alexis. Sampaoli, an Argentine coach who follows in the footsteps of his countryman Bielsa in coaching his neighbouring country, will be without Jara and Silva is set to take his place again. There will be plenty of eyes on Beausejour at left-back, who could be handed a marking job on Messi.
Argentina have reached the final after solving their attacking problems in front of goal against Paraguay. The six goals they scored were orchestrated by Messi. One goal, a penalty, and three assists have come from the foot of the Barça man up until now. Martino has only tinkered with the essentials of Sabella’s side after the World Cup but he has done so masterfully.
Keys. The positions of Otamendi and Pastore, who were not even in the squad in Brazil, have been key to Argentina’s game, while Agüero, and at times Higúain, gives reliability. Even Martino turning a blind eye to Di Maria’s poor season has been a success.
The Argentines also have history against them tonight, however. They last won the Copa América 22 years ago, in 1993, and have not won a title at senior level since then. Their last two finals in the Confederations Cup, in 2003 and 2007, ended in defeat against Brazil, as last summer’s World Cup final did against Germany at the Maracaná. None of the star names who have passed through the Argentina national team have been able to end their trophy absence until now.
Garay or Demichelis is the only selection headache for Martino going into the match. The Zenit man was kept out of the semi-final owing to gastroenteritis and that illness has seen him lose a lot of weight ahead of a game carrying such importance as the one today. Argentina will play against eleven players, a squad, 46,000 fans and 18 million Chileans. It is not just another game. It is a game to decide who is the best in South America and to see if Argentine can bring an end to a 22-year run without a major trophy.
Follow the Copa América timetable here.