After almost a month of COPA America action it all comes down to the final in Miami with Argentina looking for their 16th trophy in this competition.
On the other hand, Colombia have only won the tournament once which came back in 2001 when they beat Mexico 1-0 on home soil.
Argentina progressed through the group stage with flying colours after winning all 3 games picking up a maximum of 9 points.
They got a clean sheet in every game as they beat Canada 2-0 on the opening day of the tournament then went on to beat Chile 1-0 and then Peru 2-0.
In the Quarter Final they suffered a late setback after Equalised into added time to send the game to extra time and the eventually penalties. Despite this they won the penalty shootout with Emiliano Martinez saving 2 penalties.
Having already played them in the group stage La Albiceleste met face to face with Canada and the result was the exact same in a 2-0 victory sending them through to the final.
Colombia topped a group with Brazil in as they got 7 points in their group stage campaign. After a 2-1 victory against Paraguay, they went on to convincingly beat Costa Rica 3-0 and then drew 1-1 with Brazil.
When it came to the Quarter Final it almost couldn’t be easier for Los Cafeteros with a 5-0 win against Panama where each goal was scored by a different player. They opened the scoring after only 8 minutes and sealed it with a 5th goal into added time as they showed their ability in attack as well as keeping a clean sheet at the back.
The Semi Final was a cagy game with Daniel Munoz sent off for a deliberate elbow just before halftime on Uruguayan Manuel Ugarte. Even with this they managed to hold onto their lead that they got in the 39th minute through Jefferson Lerma and progress through to the final.
Head2Head
The last time these sides met was in 2022 which was a 1-0 loss for Colombia in the World Cup Qualifying stages. Since then, Colombia haven’t lost a game and are on a 28 game unbeaten run.
In 43 meetings between the 2 sides Argentina have won 26 and Colombia have won 9 with 8 draws.
2019 was the last time Colombia beat Argentina when the sides met in the group stage of this Competition. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata helped the side win 2-0 that day.
They first met in 1945 when Argentina won by 8 goals in a massive 9-1 victory.
Team News
Argentina has no fresh injuries or suspension following the last game against Canada.
In most games so far, they have lined up in a 442 formation but sometimes Lionel Scaloni also likes to use a 433 formation.
The back 4 have been solid so far having only conceded once in the 5 games they have played. Gonzalo Martinez and Nicolas Tagliafico are usually the fullbacks of choice with a Premier League partnership of Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero at centre back.
Argentina has a host of top centre midfielders but have mainly opted for Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul as a pair. If they did want to change it though they also have Giovani Lo Celso and Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes as options.
Even though he is the top goal scorer at this tournament Lautaro Martinez had to make his impact from the bench in the last game with Lionel Messi being partnered up top with the Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez. Alverez scored in that game so the manager will have a decision to make with who pairs up with the 8 time Ballon d’Or winning player and Argentina captain in Messi.
Colombia will be without Daniel Munoz who was sent off in their semi final clash against Uruguay as well as Jhon Lucumi facing a battle to be ready after being out with a thigh injury.
The Bologna centre back has been out for 4 games making his only appearance in the competition so far in the opening game against Paraguay where he was forced off after just 25 minutes.
Carlos Cuesta has been the replacement for the side so far and is expected to start again in the centre back position next to former Tottenham Hotspur player Davison Sanchez.
With Munoz out 32-year-old Santiago Arias could come into the side at right back. He is one of the most experience names in the side having made his debut in 2013.
They like to line up in a 433 or a 4231 formation with Matues Uribe playing alongside Jefferson Lerma in the last game and James Rodriguez played just in behind the striker.
Jhon Arias played out wide in the last game but has also played in the midfield with Rodriguez moving to the wing when this has happened.
Jhon Cordoba is the striker of choice for Colombian manager Nestor Lorenzo with the 31-year-old expected to continue his spot leaving Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran to continue on the bench.
• Predicted Line-Ups
Argentina: E Martinez, Molina, Romero, L Martinez, Tagliafico, Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, Alvarez
Colombia: Vargas, S Arias, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica, Rios, Lerma, J Arias, Rodriguez, Cordoba, Diaz • Players to watch
Argentina- Angel Di Maria
Di Maria is set to retire from international football after playing 15 years for his country therefore he will be looking to go out on a high winning his 2nd Copa America.
Since making his debut in 2008 Di Maria has gone onto make 144 appearances and has scored 31 goals for Argentina.
At 36 years of age he is still playing football at a top level with Benfica after scoring 9 goals in 28 games last season for The Eagles.
The player has often been deployed on the wing for his country with his quick feet and dribbling ability key to his game.
A left footed player, Di Maria can also play as a central attacking midfielder just in behind the striker.
When at Real Madrid he was named in the FIFA FIFPro 11 after his performances got him a move to Manchester United.
Colombia – Jefferson Lerma
Lerma returned from a one game suspension in the last game and made an impact scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win. That is his second goal so far this tournament after scoring in their first game against Paraguay.
After making over 150 appearances for AFC Bournemouth Lerma signed for Palace in the summer last year and has been a big part of Oliver Glasners midfield.
He is a defensive minded midfielder who likes to use his strength to win the ball back.
But he isn’t afraid to shoot as well often scoring goals from long range distances.
In 2017 he made his debut for Colombia and has since made 43 appearances for his national side.
• When and how to watch Argentina vs Colombia
The game will kick off at 1:00am BST on Thursday 11h July. The fixture will be shown Via a Premier Sports subscription on Prime Video in the UK and relevant USA channels.
