Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Ecuador during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match at the Olimpico stadium in Goiania, Brazil, Saturday, July 3
Argentina will continue to trust that Lionel Messi finds a way to overcome Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina on Tuesday at Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia to return to the Copa America final.
Beat the impressive Ospina and Colombia, and Argentina will take on Brazil in Saturday's decider.
Messi has been in Barcelona form, scoring four goals and giving four assists in one of the best tournament displays of his Argentina career. The Copa America top scorer netted one and assisted his teammates twice in beating Ecuador 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
Ospina stopped two penalties in the shootout against Uruguay in the quarterfinals, was key in the 0-0 draw in regulation time, and plays a pivotal leadership role for a team that has scored only three times in the entire tournament.
Messi is seeking his first major title with Argentina, which has not lifted a trophy since the 1993 Copa America. Colombia's drought is not as long, but its only Copa title was in 2001.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Colombia as “a tough rival," and was wary it will have back Juan Guillermo Cuadrado from a suspension.
“We hope to play the match with the same intensity, the same willpower,” said Scaloni, who has led Argentina on an unbeaten streak of 18 matches.
The coach is expected to bring back defender Cristian Romero to replace German Pezzella. He still has doubts on his left back between Marcos Acuña and Nicolás Tagliafico. There's also a choice to make in midfield between Leandro Paredes and Guido Rodríguez.
“Argentina is a very compact team, very mature," Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda said. “You need to play with wit, make a lot of effort, to take them off balance.”
Colombia will count on Cuadrado's return. He was suspended against Uruguay.
“It isn't only him (Messi), Argentina has many players that could damage in any circumstance,” Cuadrado warned. “We should not pay attention only to Messi. We will play a final against Argentina. We are not giving 100%, we are giving 200%.”
Rueda's main doubt is who Duván Zapata's partner up front will be; Rafael Santos Borré or Luis Muriel?
