Former Argentina national team coach Alfio “Coco” Basile spoke about the team, the Copa America and Brazil while also stating that Argentina will be champions.

Alfio Basile remains the last man to ever coach Argentina to a senior trophy having won four trophies with the team. Basile coached Argentina to the 1991 Copa America, the 1992 Confederations Cup, the 1993 Artemio Franchi Trophy and the last trophy which was the 1993 Copa America.

Speaking to ESPN, here is what Basile had to say regarding the Copa America:

“This is the opportunity to win the Copa America. More because of the way Brazil are playing, they are a normal team, discreet. Taking out Neymar, they are normal players. This is our opportunity.”

In regards to Lionel Messi and a few of the other players:

“With Messi, we are already winning 1-0. He is a football beast. It’s a team still in training. I would would Paredes from the start. Lautaro Martinez is still learning but I like him.”

Regarding Lionel Scaloni:

“For me, he is doing very well. At the least, what he likes in football doesn’t differ much from mine. He plays the way I like. For anyone who watches the national team, they play like my team used to play.”

Finally, Basile spoke about his health as he was recently in the hospital:

“The truth is that I didn’t suffer, I had no problems. I was in the hospital for 10 days and they did everything they had to do. Obviously it’s not nice being there but it went very well. I am vaccinated. I think that did me very well. The doctors told me I was well. I didn’t even have a fever.”

Lionel Messi let his emotions show during the semi final penalty shootout as the cameras were rolling.

Messi took the first penalty for Argentina while Emiliano Martinez was the hero. There was an exclusive camera by TyC Sports which followed Messi around throughout the shootout.

He was seen hugging his team mates and celebrating. At one point, when Martinez saved Mina’s penalty, Messi was shown yelling at Mina and telling him to “dance now”, in reference to Mina dancing after he scored his penalty vs. Uruguay in their match.

Emiliano Martinez saved three penalty kicks as Argentina got the 2-1 win in a penalty shootout to reach the final of the Copa America.

Argentina took the early lead as Gio Lo Celso played a ball in to Lionel Messi and he would pass it to Lautaro Martinez as Lautaro would score to give Argentina the 1-0 lead. Nicolas Gonzalez came close to scoring the second as Messi crossed the ball into the penalty area but his header was saved by Ospina.

The second half saw Colombia grow into the match and would make it count. A quick free kick taken by Colombia as Luis Diaz would beat Pezzella for pace and score to draw Colombia level.

Angel Di Maria was brought in for Argentina and nearly had an assist. Di Maria dribble around Ospina who came out of his penalty area as he passed it to Lautaro but Lautaro’s open goal effort was blocked on the line.

It would go to penalty kicks and Emiliano Martinez would turn into the hero. Juan Cuadrado would go first for Colombia as Martinez would guess the right way but was unable to save it.

Lionel Messi was the first one up for Argentina and he would convert his into the top corner of the net.

It was now time for the Emiliano Martinez show. Davinson Sanchez would take the second kick for Colombia but Martinez with a save. Up stepped Rodrigo De Paul but his penalty went over the bar.

Up next for Colombia was Yerry Mina and Martinez would save his. Leandro Paredes with a well taken penalty and he would score for Argentina. Miguel Borja and Lautaro Martinez woulds core theirs which left Edwin Cardona.

Last kick and a third save for Emiliano Martinez as Argentina win and are in the final!

#CopaAmérica 🏆

Estas fueron las acciones más destacadas del encuentro entre @Argentina y @FCFSeleccionCol por la Semifinal de la CONMEBOL #CopaAmérica

🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 Colombia 🇨🇴#VibraElContinente #VibraOContinente pic.twitter.com/PQAVmSHFSt

— Copa América (@CopaAmerica) July 7, 2021