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Argentina ends the 'curse' of the Copa América and the years of bitterness

MADRID, 18 Dic.

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Argentina ends the 'curse' of the Copa América and the years of bitterness

MADRID, 18 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Argentine soccer team ended this Sunday with a 36-year wait and was crowned world champion for the third time, a success that surely settles the sporting debate that Leo Messi has with the world of soccer and with his country, and that confirms a new winning cycle for the 'Albiceleste', the first current South American champion who reigns worldwide.

The Azteca Stadium, on June 29, 1986, saw Argentina crowned world champion, clinging to one of its great myths, Diego Armando Maradona, spectacular in that tournament, and leader of a team that won its second World Cup in the space of eight years.

With the '10' as leader, a great time was approaching for this team, but the 'Fluff' could not give him more success, despite playing a new final four years later, lost this time against the Federal Republic of Germany. Maradona reached one more World Cup, that of 1994, but his positive in an anti-doping control ended the dreams of Argentina, eliminated in the round of 16 by Romania against all odds.

That started a real torture for a country that is devoted to soccer, especially when its national team plays. He had to wait 24 years to savor a World Cup final again, in the country of his eternal South American rival, Brazil, and in the third date already with Maradona's 'heir', Leo Messi.

Three quarterfinals (1998, 2006 and 2010), a round of 16 (1994) and an elimination in the group stage (2002) were his baggage until then, with the addition that he had not been able to reign in South America since 1993. The final in Maracanã, again against Germany, kept up that tonic of tears and Mario Götze's goal in extra time deprived the 'Albiceleste' of their third star.

The emotional blow seemed devastating. Messi seemed incapable of transferring the enormous brilliance with FC Barcelona to his country and criticism was continuous towards his performance. Despite being surrounded by good footballers like 'Kun' Agüero, Ángel di María, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuaín or Maxi Rodríguez, the Rosario and his team were denied titles.

After the defeat in Rio de Janeiro, more upsets returned, consecutive as well. Lost two Copa América finals, both by penalties and both against the then-thriving Chile, led by compatriots: Jorge Sampaoli (2015) and Juan Antonio Pizzi (2016).

The last defeat even caused the goodbye of a defeated Messi, but the one from Rosario backed down. What did not change was the luck of his team, which two years later in the World Cup in Russia, precisely with Sampaoli in charge, did not shine either and went in the round of 16 against precisely his rival on Sunday.

The 2019 Copa América was equally elusive (third parties), but from there everything finally changed. In this setback, Lionel Scaloni was already the coach, who had taken over on an interim basis the previous summer and who, despite this new disappointment, remained in office.

And the former Deportivo de La Coruña player worked to change the face of the two-time world champion, who became, through a pandemic, one of the most reliable teams on the planet. The challenge was the 2021 Copa América and the 'Albiceleste' finally ended the long wait. This time they did not fail at the home of their archenemy Brazil, whom they beat 1-0 in the final to win their first major title since 1993, although that meant a problem for the World Cup, since no South American champion has been able to to win the World Cup under this condition.

With Messi always decisive but better surrounded in all areas of the field, the Argentine team was able to chain up to 36 games without losing and beat Italy at Wembley in the first 'Finalissima', the tournament created by UEFA and CONMEBOL to face his confederation champions, with a very good game, which made him arrive in Qatar very well placed in the bets.

Things did not start well at all and the 'ghosts' made an appearance after the unexpected and surprise defeat against Saudi Arabia in the opening match. Perhaps, years ago, the dressing room would have 'turned off', but this time it was not like that and they were able to rebuild themselves to win the title and emulate what Spain did in South Africa 2010 after losing against Switzerland, although the 'Red' won their next six games, all 1-0, and only needing extra time, in the final against the Netherlands.

The final on Sunday, with such passionate fans and a country, was a test to see if the years of bitterness were finally behind. 'Argentina' becomes a three-time champion and the fourth best country on the soccer planet after Brazil (5), Italy and Germany (4). And Messi is no longer the 'cold chest' that they called him and he is already up to par, for some already above, Diego Armando Maradona.