Argentina's Copa America campaign gets underway on Monday night with a stern test in the form of an opener against regional neighbours Chile at Rio de Janeiro's Estadio Nilton Santos.

Argentina come into this tournament on the back of an unbeaten run that stretches all the way back to 2019. However, the national team have not managed to win the Copa America since 1993, almost thirty years ago.

Match preview

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Ever since the country's early 2018 World Cup exit under Jorge Sampaoli against France, Argentina have come a long way under new head coach Lionel Scaloni and hopes are high coming into this tournament.

The firm favourites in Group B, which comprises the continent's southern nations, Argentina will have to pick up points against the likes of Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia if they are to progress to the next round.

However, first and foremost La Albiceleste face Chile, a side who made life very difficult for Scaloni's men just days ago when they held them to a 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualification game.

Despite Argentina looking by far the more complete side, Scaloni's team struggled to break down their Chilean opposition.

A dramatic 2-2 draw with Colombia last week means that La Albiceleste come into this tournament without having won a game in 2021.

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Back-to-back Copa America winners in 2015 and 2016, Chile come into this tournament looking to win just the third title in their history.

Despite the half-decade that has passed since their last title, Chile's starting 11 remains very much the same, with the old guard of Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas leading the line and Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel and Mauricio Isla making up the defence.

Head coach Martin Lasarte does not appear too concerned with his ageing squad and will look to utilise the talents of these fan favourites to win back the title from holders and hosts Brazil.

Following their draw with Argentina earlier this month, Chile were held again by Bolivia in a 1-1 stalemate just days ago, with midfielder Erick Pulgar finding the back of the net for La Roja.

Much like their neighbours Argentina, Chile find themselves blowing hot and cold on the eve of this tournament, and Lasarte will know that his side will need to up the ante if they are to achieve anything this summer.

Team News

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Scaloni announced a strong squad this week that included the likes of Papu, Angel Correa, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero alongside megastar Lionel Messi.

Notable absentees from the squad included promising Aston Villa attacker Emiliano Buendia and highly-rated Sevilla forward Lucas Ocampos.

Even with the addition of Aguero, Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez could still partner Messi in attack.

As for Chile, Lasarte is expected to opt for four at the back like he did against La Albiceleste earlier this month, partnering Medel with Guillermo Maripan.

Pulgar and Bayer Leverkusen's Charles Aranguiz are likely to provide cover for the defence in central midfield.

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Montiel, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Lo Celso, Paredes, De Paul; Messi, Martinez, Di Maria

Chile possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Isla, Medel, Maripan, Mena; Pulgar, Vidal, Aranguiz, Meneses; Vargas, Sanchez

We say: Argentina 1-0 Chile

In what will be a tough opening test for both of these nations, viewers will likely be in for a cagey 90 minutes of football. We think Argentina will edge this one, but it will be by narrow margins.

Written by
Francis Buchanan

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