Argentina renews rivalry with Chile in group stage clash

Argentina and Chile will clash once in a repeat of the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals as the 2024 Copa América continues at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 25 June. In the 2015 and 2016 finals, Chile won on penalties on both occasions.

Chile would have to look for extra motivation to face the defending champions of the competition, who won the last edition in 2021, especially after La Roja was held to a goalless draw by Peru in the opening game.

They will need to win more than the Argentines, who won their opening group-stage game with a 2-0 win over Canada. This is because Chile has only won just three of their previous 11 matches, losing four and playing four draws in that period.

A loss for Ricardo Gareca’s side against Argentina will put them on the brink of a first group stage elimination at the Copa América since 2004. In that edition, Argentina got to the final only to lose to Brazil on penalties.

If Lionel Scaloni’s side defeats Chile, they will make early progress into the next round of Copa America and also have the opportunity to rest some of the key players in the squad ahead of the final match of the group stage. Fortunately, Argentina is yet to lose to Chile in the regular ninety minutes.

Chile was able to sharpen their finishing skill in their three pre-tournament friendlies. Still, the draw against Peru means that they probably have a hoodoo to break in the Copa America as it means that they have failed to score in three consecutive Copa America fixtures since 2021.

The last meeting between both teams was in January 2022, during the World Cup qualifiers, in which Argentina won 2-1 in Calama. Peru and Canada will face off hours before the clash between Chile and Argentina, and a draw between them coupled with an Argentina win will see the world champions qualify as group winners.