At 16:00 pm local time in South America on July 4, with the whistle of Colombian referee Vilmar Roldan, the 2015 Copa America final between Chile and Argentina was cheered by more than 85,000 fans at the Chilean National Stadium. Officially begin.
In this game, Argentina unexpectedly did not play the more reliable 4231 defensive counterattack formation, but instead played the 433 formation.
Perhaps it was the 7-1 victory over Paraguay in the last game that gave Gerardo Martino more confidence. The last game proved that Willard can take into account both defense and offense. His speed and physical fitness can cover the entire midfield, and he has no problem serving as a central midfielder with both offense and defense.
As a result, the positions of Messi and Di Maria were moved from the forward line to the forward line, forming a three-forward formation with Aguero, with stronger offensive power, trying to overwhelm the Chilean team like Paraguay in the semi-finals.
However, when the game started, everyone discovered that Chile and Paraguay were in completely different states.
Maybe it’s because it’s stronger, maybe it’s because the previous schedule wasn’t as tight as Paraguay’s, maybe it’s because the host country’s schedule and route arrangement are more reasonable, and the cheering from the home fans makes the home team’s ambition to win the first Copa America title in the history of the national team The high aspirations made the entire Chilean team full of energy and fighting spirit, and they were even more competitive than Argentina, which had not won a championship in 22 years.
Before the game, everyone regarded Argentina as the favorite to win the championship, but when the game started, everyone discovered that Chile's performance and strength were no worse than Argentina.
In just the 4th minute of the opening, Chile's forward Eduardo Vargas completed the first shot. However, due to interference from Mascherano's pressing, the shot was a little hasty and slightly missed the post.
Although the ball didn't go in, it didn't go too far, and it still shocked the Argentine players and fans.
Eduardo Vargas currently has 4 goals, one less than Velarde, and is tied for second with Peruvian forward Guerrero, who has already played in the third or fourth place finals. However, he continued to score in the finals to tie Viola. Possibility of 5 goals for Ladd.
Therefore, Vargas definitely does not lack the desire to score goals, whether from the perspective of the team's overall honor or his personal performance in trying to win the Golden Boot.
Next, Chile continued to use its home court advantage to launch a massive attack, and did not hesitate to be beaten passively because Argentina had Messi, Aguero, Di Maria, Velarde, Mascherano and other superstars.
Argentina, which did not expect this kind of performance from the opponent, was caught off guard and was in a dilemma for the first ten minutes of the game.
Fortunately, Velarde has good physical fitness and speed, as well as strong awareness. He kept running all over the field to fill in positions, making up for the loopholes in the defense, and did not allow Chile's offense to actually score.
Of course, in addition to defense, Argentina will not forget to counterattack when it gets the ball.
In the 21st minute, Argentina sent a long pass from the backcourt by Mascherano. Messi received the ball and passed the ball across the middle. Aguero grabbed the spot and volleyed in the penalty area. Unfortunately, he failed to make up for it and missed the post. .
As time went by, Argentina gradually stabilized its position, while the Chilean team, which had been attacking but failed to score, gradually slowed down. After all, no one can keep charging up and down all the time. There is always a need to slow down and take a break.
At this time, it was Argentina's turn to start strengthening their attack.
With Velarde in the midfield and Messi, Aguero and Di Maria in the frontcourt, the 433 formation sent by Argentina was originally used for strong attack, not defense. After withstanding the opponent's opening three blows, it was Argentina's turn to show off.
Velarde, Messi, Aguero, Di María, and Pastore began to pass and cut, interspersed and moved, trying to tear apart the Chilean team's defense, and hit the fatal blow.
In the 27th minute, Di Maria made a pass from the left, and Velard almost scored with a header in the middle. Unfortunately, due to interference from the opposing center back Francisco Silva, Velarde headed the ball over the crossbar and failed to hit the goal frame.
But this ball has already demonstrated Velarde's strong physique, speed, forward penetration, bounce, and header ability. As long as he continues to play, it is entirely possible for Velarde to score by inserting from the back row, opening the first goal for Argentina. recorded.
Unexpectedly, just 2 minutes later, Di Maria slowed down while dribbling the ball without any contact, and then sat on the ground in pain.
"Huh? DiMaria stopped."
"What's up with him?"
"Di Maria sat on the ground, holding down her thigh, with a very painful expression. It seems that Di Maria may have a muscle strain."
The commentator was right. After being inspected by the Argentine team doctor, Di Maria strained his muscle without any contact and had to be replaced in the 30th minute of the game.
Gerardo Martino could only replace Di Maria with winger Ezequiel Lavezzi. Di Maria was helped off the field by the team doctor, with sad tears in his eyes.
This was the Copa America final, Argentina's best chance to win the championship in 22 years, but he was injured again.
You know, he was injured and missed the World Cup final last year, which ultimately led to Argentina being defeated by Germany and missing the championship.
Now he's injured again.
Before he could help Argentina and help Messi win the championship trophy, he had to leave the field injured. Angel Di Maria felt very sad.
All the Argentinian fans in the stands and in front of the TV felt sad and uneasy.
Only Willard walked to Di Maria resolutely, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Don't cry, we will definitely win the championship. Get ready to receive the championship medal and trophy!"
Di Maria looked at Alan Willard, who had a determined expression, nodded, and felt a little better before following the team doctor off the field and replacing Lavezzi.
After Argentina completed the substitutions, the game restarted. Di Maria's dismissal really hit Argentina's overall morale and also hit Argentina's left attack.
The Chilean team took the opportunity to launch another strong attack, trying to take advantage of Argentina's low morale period to break through Argentina's goal and gain the lead.
However, Velarde led Mascherano and Pastore to continuously intercept the opponent's attacks, and also directed the back line to constantly fill in the defense and make up for the loopholes, so that the Chilean team's offense often failed.
Throughout the first half, the Chilean team completed 7 shots, but only 2 of them hit the goal frame, and neither of them threatened much. In the end, they were resolved one by one by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
At the end of the first half, Chile and Argentina tied 0-0.
Argentina's attempt to defeat Chile as it defeated Paraguay did not come true, and the Chilean team's offensive plan to take advantage of the home court and Di Maria's injury to leave the field also failed. The two sides are still on the same level for the time being.
Who can break the deadlock first in the second half depends on the referee's arrangement during the halftime break.
