Copa America final: Five reasons Chile will shock Argentina again.

The Copa America has gotten to the final point where the stage is set for a repeat lastyear’s final between defending champions Chile and Argentina.Argentina looks like the favourites to win the competition this year especially for Lionel Messi who is still seeking his first senior trophy for his country.

However many do not see the current title holders posing a treat to the zealous Tata Matino squad who are playing their third major final in a major tournament in the lasteight years.Here are the reasons Chile will beat Argentina in the final1. The absence of Di Maria and Lavezzi–LaAlbicelesteare a potent force with both Paris Saint Germain (PSG) players and with their aggressive style of play, no defence can be at rest.Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel di MariaApart form Messi getting into scoring positions, Di Maria is a more versatile playerin every area of the midfield and attack and his recovery rate is also an advantage whenopponents pull a counter attack. The Chileans might just be lucky if Argentina does not revenge last year’s final.

2. The Messi factor– One of Argentina’s greatest is known to stumble on the last hurdle when wearing the blue and white stripe for his country, and that is where his major critics lashes out at Messi.In the last eight years Messi has played in two Copa finals and the World Cup final, none of them has yielded a silverware, another loss might plague the genius of the five-time world player of the year.

3. No formidable opponents– All the way through to the final there has not been an opponent squaring shoulders with the star-studded Argentine squad. The Leo Messi side have been the domineering force so far in the tournament.Two early goals proved enough for a weakened Chile to book a return clash against Argentina in the 2016 Copa AmericafinalArgentina have never had any reason to come from behind to win a match in the Copa America so playing Chile in the final gives the Raul Bravo-led team more determination to spoil the party and to avenge their 1-2 defeat in their group game.However Chile have beaten Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia and Panama but only losing to their recently turned arch rivals, Argentina who also faced Bolivia, Venezuela and the United States.

4. No benefit will be derived from winning the Copa– The winners of this year’s competition will not feature in the Confederation Cup because Chile who won last the edition have been given the go-ahead to represent the continent.Morever Chile will seem to be more relaxed and want to hit Argentina on the counter attack knowing full well theLa Albicelestewill be coming all out to devour them of the success they deprived them of.

5. Chile getting stronger– Chile out-classedthe Mexicans getting them whipped 7-0 in the quarter-finals and another convincing victory in the semis against Colombia sends a warning signal to the their noisy neighbours.