BELO HORIZONTE (Brazil), July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino scored the goals as Brazil beat arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday to qualify for the Copa America final.
Played in a white-hot atmosphere and with tempers threatening to boil over, Argentina came close to scoring themselves but both Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi hit the woodwork.
Hosts Brazil will play the winners of Wednesday second semi-final between champions Chile and Peru in Sunday’s final.
It was the first time these age-old rivals had met in a major competition since Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in the 2007 Copa final.
English-based Jesus and Firmino were the stars, each creating the other’s goal, although captain Dani Alves had a major say in the opener.
Defeat meant Barcelona great Messi’s hopes of landing a major international honour with Argentina became even more remote.
He will get another opportunity next year, though, with the fourth Copa America in the last five years, due to be played in Argentina and Colombia.
Brazil took the lead on 19 minutes after a piece of individual brilliance from Alves.
He beat three players on a mazy run before sending Firmino clear down the right with a no-look pass, the Liverpool forward crossing for the unmarked Jesus to tap home.
Argentina almost levelled on the half hour when Aguero headed Messi’s free-kick onto the bar, the ball bouncing down just in front of the line before Brazil scrambled it clear.
Argentina pushed Brazil back at the start of the second half and Aguero picked out Lautaro Martinez in the box but he didn’t catch his left-foot volley cleanly and Alisson gathered comfortably.
Moments later, a blocked shot from Martinez looped over to Messi who lashed a shot from an angle against the post, with Alisson beaten.
Just as Argentina looked capable of finding a way back into the match, Brazil stung them on the counter-attack with Manchester City’s Jesus getting away from two defenders and teeing up the unmarked Liverpool striker Firmino for a tap in on 71 minutes.
Scaloni threw on another forward in Paulo Dybala but there was no way back for Argentina. — NNN-AGENCIES
