Football admirers across the globe are eagerly waiting for the epic clash of two global giants Brazil and Argentina due to clash in the final of COPA 2021 at iconic Maracana Stadium (Estadio Jornalista Mario Fiho). 

Like the rest of the world Bangladesh is also divided in love and affection of the two of the top most football.Not only in the major cities but also in the remote villages football fans are sharply divided. People of all ages, religion, cultural, political and sex divide are also divided in their love for Messi or Neymar and their adoring team Argentina and Brazil. Perhaps not even in those two countries the match between the two teams create and spread infectious fever as it does in Bangladesh. It is all for the top football honor in the South America. At Bangladesh Standard Time 6 AM in the morning of 11 July teams would lock horn. Much before than adoring fans in different countries would stay glued to their devices for watching their heroes. About 6500 fans would be lucky for watching the Game Of Few Decades live at the stadium. It will definitely be bliss for the world community at a time when people in many countries are locked indoor for COVID pandemic. 

History Of Two Teams 
The two South American nations have glorious past soccer history and traditional rivalry. One Edson Orantas do Nasimanto (Pele) is the only footballer from Brazil winning 3 world cups (1958,1962 and 1970) as player. Argentina had one called Diego Maradona who with his almost individual brilliance won world cup for them. 

Brazil is the defending COPA champion, Argentinal lost to Brazil (2-0) last time in the semifinal. Argentina won it 14 times and Brazil 9. Brazil did not appear in 8 of 14 times during which Argentina won it. Argentina has not won a match against Brazil since 1993. Brazil has not lost any match when it appeared in the final of any tournament at Maracana. World knows Brazil won World Cup 5 times and Argentina 2 times. But when these traditional rivals meet past records at times becomes an event of the past. Team, which perform to their very best wins. Both teams have top football players playing for different top teams of the world in major football leagues in England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. Argentina possess Left Leg Wizard Lionel Messi (LM 10), Brazil has poster boy Neymar Junior. Messi has won many trophies for his team Barcelona but till now has won no trophy at global stage or COPA. Messi and Neymar played in the same team for few years and are believed to be great mates. Both team has so many players those either play together for the same team or play against one another for their respected teams. Both teams have almost similar football styles. They are known foes and are evenly matched. 

Role Of Honors of COPA 
Organized as CONMEBOL (CONMEBOL America) cup is the oldest known football competition has bitter sweet memories . Organized among nations of South America sometime invited North and Central American countries and even countries from Asia Pacific.  This year the fate was hanging till the last minute as most countries of the continent are still suffering from COVID pandemic. 

Uruguay and other countries can no longer match Brazil and Argentina. As such the COPA is now mostly a tournament of two top dogs of world soccer a battle of supremacy of two of the most popular football nations. 

Road To COPA 2021 Final 
This year write from the announcement of the draws football worshippers were dreaming for a dream final of Brazil and Argentina. They were placed in two groups and with very little difficulties finished on the top of the respective groups. 
Points Table 
Group A 

Group B

Brazil played Chile in the quarter final and Argentina clashed Ecuador. In the semi final Brazil prevailed over Peru by 1-0, the team they easily beat 4-0 at the group stage. Argentina won semi final against Columbia in the tiebreakers. 

Performance of Two Giants: Brazil and Argentina are evenly balanced with most players playing in major teams in European leagues. Two super stars Messi and Neymer are livewires of two teams in planning and plotting movements, assisting mates for goals and scoring. Messi has some edge. But Brazil has a better-balanced team and has equally strong bench strength. Two top mates of Messi on the other hand Aguero and Di Maria are ageing and cannot play for 90 minus. Two Managers are known for setting appropriate strategies. It will all depend which team appears with their A game and play to their potentials. History favours Brazil, playing at home is an added advantage. But neither team is clear favourite. 

Brazil so far in this tournament showd impregnable defence. It is not exclusively depended on Neymer engineering all moves. It will depend how thick Brazil defence contains Messi. On the other hand, Neymer showed excellent skills of weaving through defenders and providing defence splitting passes. Brazilans exhibited Samba football against Peru during the first half of the semifinal. Messi has scored some excellent goals. 

Possible Playing XI: 
Brazil: 
Goal Keeper:  Ederson (Manchester City), 
Defenders: 
Danilo (Juventas), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Marquenhoes ( Paris St –Germin), Elder Milato ( Real Madrid )/ Roman Lodi ( Athletico Madrid)  , 
Mid Fielders: Fred (Manchester United), Casimero (Real Madrid), Lucas Paqueta (Lyon), 
Forwards: Everton (Benefica), Neymar (Paris St-Germin) and Richalison (Everton) 

Argentina: 
Goal Keeper: Emilliano Martinez (Ashton Villa), 
Defenders: Marcos Acunna (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendy (Benefica) , Christian  Romero ( Atalanta) , Nahuel Molina Rusero ( Udinese)
Mid Fielders: Laindro Pardes (Paris St-Germain), Angel Di Mraia (Paris St-Germain), Alezandro Gomez (Sevila), Rodrigo De Paul Udinese) 
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)/ Sergio Aguero (Barcelona) 

At least 60% of Bangladeshi football generation have seen Maradona and are watching Messi. Many do not care to know about history and records. Bangladesh does not even care about own football history as well. As such to many what Brazil did is an event of the past. 

Hence football fans are bitterly divided into Brazil Argentina. But we must keep in mind that it is only a game. They should enjoy good football and cheer for their team of love. Let us hope that the clash of giants produce mouthwatering contest and team playing better wins. 

BDST: 1616 HRS, JUL 10, 2021
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