Argentina and Colombia will face each other in Salvador on Saturday with both teams looking to take early control of Group B.
The two heavyweights of South American football know a win on matchday one will all but secure top spot in the group, with Paraguay and Qatar not seen as posing any serious threat.
Argentina have won 6 of their 9 matches since the World Cup last year and a recent 5-1 win over Nicaragua suggests that they are in good form heading into the tournament.
They are the second most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won the Copa America 14 times. However, their most recent title came all the way back in 1993.
On the other hand, Colombia have only won the tournament once. They claimed the Copa as hosts in 2001 but the best they have managed since then is a third-place finish.
They come into the competition on a relatively good run of form having won four of their six games since the 2018 World Cup. This group of players will need to put their round of 16 World Cup exit behind them if they are to perform in the knock-out stages at this year’s tournament.
In James Rodriguez, they have one the most creative players in the competition. The Colombian poster boy can ignite a game at the drop of a hat and is a proven big game player.
He rose to fame at the 2014 World Cup where he claimed the Golden Boot, scoring six goals. Colombia will be looking to him to rekindle his dazzling form and guide them through the competition.
Sergio Aguero returns to the Argentina squad after being frozen out by head coach Lionel Scaloni. The 89-cap forward’s unprecedented treble winning season with Manchester City made it almost impossible for him to not be included.
Regardless of Argentina’s star-studded squad, all eyes will be one man. Argentina’s overreliance on Lionel Messi could work against them, but it could also win them the tournament.
The head-to-head record between these two teams favors Argentina. They have won 24 of the 39 matches over the years compared to Colombia’s 8 wins.
It should be a close match on Saturday. Both countries have very strong squads on paper and will be keen to open their 2019 Copa America accounts with a win.
Forebet predicts a tight game, with Argentina just coming out on top.