With the 2024 Copa América now in full swing, the marquee fixture of the group stage takes place at MetLife Stadium as Chile and Argentina face off in New Jersey. A repeat of the 2015 and 2016 finals – both won by Chile on penalties – takes on extra importance for La Roja after they were held to a goalless draw by rivals Peru in their first game, leaving them in greater need of a positive result here than their counterparts.
That disappointment continued a rather alarming run of form that’s seen Chile win just three of their last 11 matches (D4, L4). Boss Ricardo Gareca will be desperate to avoid another loss in this latest clash then, as it’d leave them on the brink of a first group stage elimination at the Copa América since 2004 – a tournament in which Argentina lost on penalties in the final against arch-rivals Brazil.
Argentina have had their share of revenge since, beating Brazil in the 2021 final to lift the Copa trophy for the first time since 1993, and the current holders made the perfect start to their title defence by beating Canada 2-0 in the tournament curtain raiser. That victory means that they can qualify for the knockout stages early here with a win which would give boss Lionel Scaloni the chance to rest players on matchday three.
History suggests that they’ve every chance of doing just that as this is a fixture that Argentina have absolutely dominated in the historical H2H stakes (W62, D24, L8). Combine that with their return of 20 wins from their last 21 matches overall (L1), and Scaloni’s side look well placed to progress in a tournament in which they’ve reached the quarter-finals on each of their last 14 appearances.
Players to watch: As Chile look to establish themselves in the tournament, Victor Dávila could be the player to step up as he’s directly contributed to four goals in his last four internationals (G3, A1). Only two players outscored Argentina’s Julián Álvarez at the 2022 World Cup, and the Manchester City star made the perfect start to his golden boot chase by scoring the first goal of the tournament.
Hot streak: None of Argentina’s last seven competitive matches have seen both teams score.
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