Brazil vs. Argentina – 2021 Copa America Final (July 10)

This is the final that everyone – especially CONMEBOL – wanted. Brazil will take on Argentina on Saturday for the right to be called Copa America 2021 champions. There are many different storylines associated with this game, Neymar versus Messi being just one. The Argentinian captain has never won an honor with his national side and must now beat his good friend to change that record.

Brazil versus Argentina was always on the cards after they both finished at the top of their groups. The knockout stages have not been all plain sailing for either, but now it all comes down to Saturday’s clash. Read on to find out how I think it will go – and for my Brazil vs. Argentina Copa America final betting pick.

This tournament was originally scheduled to be played in Argentina and Colombia. But Brazil swooped in after health concerns were raised, and now the Selecao has an excellent opportunity to win back-to-back Copa Americas once again.

Neymar has, unsurprisingly, been central to everything positive for Brazil. He has not scored since the second group game against Peru, but he has been instrumental in creating the chances that have allowed others to find the net – including Lucas Paqueta in each of the last two games.

Brazil’s defense has certainly played its part as well, though. It conceded just two goals in the group phase – even when a largely second-string eleven took on Ecuador in the final game. Now it will need to keep out possibly the finest player on the planet, searching for an international winners medal. It should be an absorbing battle.

With countless honors at club level with Barcelona, it is just as well known that Lionel Messi has never won a single trophy with his national side. Argentina hasn’t lifted the Copa America or the World Cup since 1993, and the best player the country has produced since Diego Maradona is running out of time to win something wearing the Albiceleste.

If Neymar has been important for Brazil, Messi has arguably played an even greater role for Argentina. He is the top goal scorer in the competition and also leads the way in assists. Even when he hasn’t scored, he has tended to be the one laying on the pass – as was the case with Lautaro Martinez’s goal against Colombia in the semifinal.

Argentina’s defense has not been the most convincing, but head coach Lionel Scaloni has depended on it throughout. It hasn’t always been pretty, but Argentina will look to frustrate Brazil once again and hope to benefit from the counterattack.

With so many superstars on show, it is not surprising that BetOnline prices the 2021 Copa America final so closely. Brazil is afforded the favorite tag and just about justifies that honor, especially considering the fact that it can enjoy playing at home here as well.

But Brazil will not have any home fans cheering them on, so this will be a much fairer battle between the two continental heavyweights. This final is so much more than Neymar vs. Messi – but, at the same time, it will probably come down to which one of these icons of the game has the most impact on the game.

Everyone is hoping for a spectacle of a game – and I don’t think they will be disappointed – but I’m also not sure that there will be many goals on show. Both keepers are very good and have proven themselves during this tournament – and I think they will be just as important as the two marquee players on the pitch.

That’s why I think that this game will be so close that it will go to at least extra time before being decided. I don’t think Argentina can win this in 90 minutes, so the odds for the draw look to be the best value pick here. Neymar may then be able to inspire a Brazilian victory in extra time or penalties.