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Argentina’s last chance to prove their worth as they face arch-rival Chile


Bangladeshpost
Published : 05 Jul 2019 08:25 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 02:37 PM

Argentina and Chile will do battle in the latter stages of the Copa America yet again on Saturday, although this time they will be competing for third place rather than the trophy itself, agencies reports.

There will be positives to take for Argentina, though; Scaloni's side were far from their best for much of the tournament, but there were members of the next generation who impressed and it looks as though talisman Lionel Messi will stick around to lead them too.

There were fears the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would retire from international football for a third and final time after this latest setback, but signs now point to him delaying that until at least next summer, when Argentina will host another Copa America.

By his own admission Messi has not hit his usual heights during this tournament - failing to provide a single goal or assist from open play - and whether he is called upon for what is essentially a dead-rubber on Saturday remains to be seen.

The match could be a chance for 21-year-old Lautaro Martinez to stake his claim for the Golden Boot, though, as one of 13 players currently level on two goals at the tournament.

The nature of Chile’s latest defeat could mean that this is the last we see of an ageing squad which contains no fewer than  six players with more than 100 caps.

Alexis Sanchez has been the jewel in that crown and began the tournament well with two goals in the opening two matches before scoring the winning penalty in the shootout with Colombia.

However, the Manchester United man and his Chile teammates have since lost their way in front of goal, and the Peru defeat was a third consecutive match in which they have failed to score in normal time - their longest drought in almost two years.

Recent glories should not obscure the fact that reaching the semi-finals is still a notable achievement for Chile, though; prior to their first Copa America crown in 2015, La Roja had only made it this far in one of the previous eight tournaments, stretching back 24 years.

Reinaldo Rueda's side will also be acutely aware that they have the psychological edge over Argentina following their back-to-back final wins over La Albiceleste in 2015 and 2016 - both via penalties after goalless draws.

Trying to keep their opponents at bay again may be their best hope of toppling Messi and co once more, but this time there is a far less appealing prize at the end of the road.

Whether Messi graces the third-place playoff or not remains to be seen, but Scaloni could choose to hand his talisman a rest with one eye on the 2019-20 season with Barcelona. There are no shortage of players ready to step up should the main man be rested, with Paulo 

Dybala yet to make a single start at this summer's tournament and Angel di Maria also champing at the bit.

Giovani Lo Celso joined that superstar duo in coming off the bench against Brazil and could be in line for a start on Saturday, while Martinez is likely to keep his place with one eye on the Golden Boot.

Scaloni must also decide whether to rest more of the old guard - including Manchester City duo Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Aguero - as he begins to usher in a new generation of players.

Chile could do with blooding some youngsters of their own in a squad that has 11 players over  the age of 30, although who lesale changes are less likely for them.

Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas will both no doubt be pushing for starts given that they are also on two goals apiece and in with a shout of being crowned the tournament's top scorer.

Jose Fuenzalida was taken off at half time against Peru 

and could be one of the players to lose his starting place for this match.