Chile v Argentina: Copa America final set to go down to the wire

Having lacked the goalscoring prowess that we would have expected from Argentina in the earlier stages of the Copa America, it was refreshing to see Messi and co. take apart Paraguay to book their spot in the final.

La Albiceleste turned the screw to dispatch of Los Guaranies 6-1 and progress to their second major final in the space of 12 months.

They are 4/7 to end this one in a better fashion than they did in Brazil and get their hands on the trophy.

But standing in their way are hosts Chile who have looked fantastic in front of their own fans, former QPR loanee Eduardo Vargas topping the scoring charts with four goals so far.

That demonstration of their unrelenting nature in front of goal has seen them extend their impressive record of finding the net in all but one of their last 38 games on their own patch.

Argentina could be a tough nut to crack though, with Tata Martino’s men keeping clean sheets in four of their last six matches.

Sergio Aguero has found the net in three of their five matches at the tournament this year, but it is Gonzalo Higuain that will be licking his lips at the thought of facing Chile again.

The Napoli man bagged a hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier against La Roja in Buenos Aires in 2011, before netting again in the sides most recent meeting in October 2012.

He’s 7/4 to add to that tally on the biggest stage in South American football, and will be a massive danger to the hosts.

But while our prediction for a low scoring semi-final for Argentina went down the pan, this one really does look like it could go right down to the wire.

Don’t believe us? Then here’s the professor with all the stats that matter…

DID YOU KNOW?

Chile have been drawing at half-time in five of their last seven competitive matches

Chile have scored two or more goals in 18 of their last 23 matches at home

Gonzalo Higuain has scored four goals in his last two appearances against Chile

Five of Chile’s last seven matches have seen most goals come in the second half

Argentina haven’t lost in 90 minutes in 12 competitive matches

Half of Argentina’s major finals have gone to extra time

Best bets:

HT/FT – Draw/Draw @ 18/5

Chile to score over 1.5 goals @ 21/10

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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