If you could guarantee it, but there are issues with the vaccines themselves, especially Sinovax, and there are documentation issues. in any event, those weren't the terms under which the tournament was hosted. Taking it away from Argentina and handing it to Brazil where COVID is pretty much just as rampant was always suspect. Having no fans is critical to that and you are also going to have to deal with the AFA and Conmebol.
The good optics would be, "we have 60K new cases a day and our healthcare workers are being heroes, trying to fight it off, so we're giving them this perk, to thank them." This is very good optics. I don't know who could make this call. I suppose, CBF and CONMEBOL with the endorsement of Congress and the Supreme Court, if done "for the right reasons". I mean, under the right optics.
Except that it was not "taken away" from Argentina. The Argentine government - against Conmebol wishes - chose at the last moment not to host for political reasons, and Brazil, right or wrong, stepped in to save the Copa.
Same here. This has been said in a lot of other places too but, it's funny how after the whole Euros and Copa América and how good the Euros were, the Copa América got the bigger final. Let's hope it's the better match too.
Tomorrow's final will allow some public in the stands of Maracanã Stadium, and there are fans who are claiming that this is yet more proof of underhanded tactics from people on the Brazil side to gain an unfair advantage given it is the host team. The final decision to allow about 10% capacity in the stands surprised even senior-ranking members of CONMEBOL, given the negotiations between the city government of Rio de Janeiro was done by Alejandro Dominguez, CONMEBOL's president. CBF and the federal government of Brazil were kept unaware until the final stages of this effort. This decision stems in part from pressure exerted by the Argentine football association to accommodate fans coming from its country. In fact, the Argentine FA has already begun to distribute about 2,100 tickets at its country's consulate in Rio; no tickets will be sold, it's only for guests. The 10% is equivalent to about 7,000 people, which is similar to the 5,000 present at the 2020 Libertadores final between Palmeiras and Santos, held at Maracanã as well. The protocols followed then will be implemented tomorrow: a negative PCR test for Covid-19 executed no more than 48 hours before the match, and masks must be worn. As I wrote days ago, the perception and optics of fans there would have been negative for the administration of President Bolsonaro; neither the Brazilian federal government nor CBF were open to the idea of liberating fans in the stands, even if at a limited basis. CONMEBOL acted without contacting CBF and Dominguez somehow persuaded Rio's city government. CONMEBOL, not Brazil's federal government and not CBF, is behind this decision. When both Colombia and Argentina became non-hosts, Brazil's Casa Civil (a government office directly linked to the Executive Branch of Government) stated there would be no fans in the event - CONMEBOL has broken this commitment. For CONMEBOL, it is important that guests representing corporate sponsors are present, as this tournament is the first national team competition including new marketing contracts following "FIFA-gate." I speculate these nuances and details will be of no consequence to certain fans who insist their team's opponents have won recent games and championships due to "extra-curricular" assistance, but it may be worth for them to be aware if their team fails to lift the trophy on Saturday and they attempt to rationalize such a result on factors other than the game itself.
It's actually CONMEBOL that pushed for fans ... and reportedly with the support of AFA who are getting 2500 tickets. AFA already said there are already 500 fans coming from Argentina. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Supposedly tickets are going to "corporate friends" ... surely money is exchanging hands directly or indirectly for some of these tickets.
Brazil very unlucky. Argentina shot ONCE on goal the whole game. ONCE. But scored. They did play better the first half, but Brazil played much better the second half and had many opportunities, with a couple of great saves by the Argentinian goalie. Argentina stalled and were manipulative for the entire second half, in a masterclass of South American shenanigans. Messi did nothing. Neymar fought like hell and was chased around with fouls all the time. The best team did not win today. On the other hand, any soccer-loving person on the planet must feel good for Messi. The guy did deserve to lift a trophy with his national team, and he finally did it in his 10th attempt. His career is now complete. Messi was a shadow of his usual self during the final, like it is often the case for him in finals, but he was instrumental for his team during all the other phases of the tournament so he is a deserving gold medalist. Good for him. Congratulations, Messi.
The 9 yellow cards felt more like should have been 18, but this is how they let them play. Otamundi should have been arrested for the live muggings. How he made it through without getting two yellows is a story upon itself. Did Messi play? Give Otamundi the MVP for what he got away with against Neymar, and took him off his game.
Yes, we won like that. And frankly after playing better past finals, I don't care one bit. We had to win at any cost.
Yes, I hear you. For all that you did in this tournament, and did appear to want it more, I congratulate you on your title. It was too long a title drought for a world-class soccer nation like you are, and it was about time to win a title, whatever it took. And I'm happy for Messi. The guy is a class act and deserved it (even though he was likely one of the worst players on the pitch today - but for the bulk of his career and for all that he did for Argentina in the past and in this tournament, he clearly deserved to lift a trophy, and finally did).
Neither team were good. Game unfortunately turned into one of those South American battles that little football is played. We weren't unlucky. We just weren't that good. Argentina did what they thought they had to do to hold on to the lead after the went ahead. It is what it is. Not an entertaining or memorable final ... but a title is a title.
Great win for Argentina,Played a great game,although sometimes foolishly compromising themselves,trying to play the ball from the back instead of just blasting it.
I loved this moment. Love, friendship and respect between two great ones. Messi finally had his day with his NT. I expect that Neymar will too.
ARGENTINA CAMPEÓN! AL FIN Lo merecimos durante mucho, mucho (mucho tiempo) y al fin ocurrió It was time I cant even put into words how much I love Messi. Messi is a synonym of soccer for my 4 y/old kid. He has the messi boll, the messi shirt, he thinks all players are named Messi. I think he wont be able to watch another player like Messi in his long life...i doubt there will br anyone like Messi in the next 100 years, or 200, or 1000....but I will show him the videos (i already do), i will talk to him about that magician that made the impossible look easy!! I will tell him about the team that tried and tried and tried and reach many finals and was so unlucky....until it finally happened. I will forever be grateful to this team, to Di Maria (my 2nd favourite sinxe the 2008 olympics), to Messi (my fave since forever and will be forever), but also Kun, Pipita, Masche, and all the golden generation players and coachs (heres to you, Sabella), all these new amazing players (heres to you, De Paul, but also Cuti and Papu and Lautaro and DIBU!!!!!! -hero- and all of them. And Scaloni too. And Diego. We will never forget any of you. Thank you.