A Prodigal Son Will Reach the Promised Land

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A prodigal son will reach the promised land Lionel Messi and Neymar have won numerous individual and club honours, some together as Barcelona teammates. Yet they can cut curiously unfullled gures in their country’s colours. Even Olympic gold medals do not alter the impression that, in terms of silverware, each is an international underachiever. Which is why tonight’s Copa America title decider takes on such huge proportions. After four defeats in various nals with Argentina, six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is chasing that elusive win. Brazil’s 2019 Copa win came without Neymar. Now, he has a chance to lead them to glory. ARGENTINA V BRAZIL July 11, 8am (Singapore time) Live on StarHub Ch202, 7.50am Lionel Messi, 34 Neymar, 29 4 GOALS 2 5 ASSISTS 3 Directly involved in Directly involved in 81.8% 41.7% of Argentina’s goals of Brazil’s goals The last time they played in the same Best chance game was Barcelona’s 6-1 win over of stopping Neymar Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 – a few Argentina have conceded only months before Neymar’s €222 million three goals in six games at (S$354.7 million) move to PSG. the Copa but that defence will Best chance of stopping Messi This is not a direct battle, but a contest be tested. Neymar ranks joint to decide the game. Brazil have been elding two defensive top with Messi for key passes midelders, in Fred and Casemiro, and they (15), rst for passes into the should try and congest the area where penalty area (14) and top for Messi often ends up when he cuts in from shot-creating actions (34). In the right. Real Madrid’s Casemiro is an old particular, it is an examination rival from many a Clasico. of the 33-year-old veteran Nicolas Otamendi. THEIR SUPPORTING CAST Lautaro Martinez V Thiago Silva Guido Rodriguez V Lucas Paqueta Martinez is the tournament’s second top scorer with three goals, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has been alternating between Rodriguez aided by the supply line from Messi, and has regained the position as and Leandro Paredes as his main defensive midelder. Whoever is the No. 9 from Sergio Aguero. The 2019 Copa America winner Silva has chosen will have to halt Paqueta, who came on for Roberto Firmino anchored a defence who have yet to concede in the knockout stages. at half-time against Chile, has scored quarter- and semi-nal winners and has eased the burden on Neymar. TEXT: RICHARD JOLLY PHOTOS: REUTERS STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS.

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