Copa America 2011: Power Ranking the 5 Finals Everyone Wants to See

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The Copa America is arguably the greatest international football event, short of the World Cup. This year, Argentina will host the CONMEBOL tournament, as the hosts hope to reestablish themselves as the best South American team.

The winner of the tournament earns a bid to the 2013 Confederations Cup, which would be a fantastic tune-up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The matches will be intense, and it will take tremendous skill (or luck) to score each goal.

In a tournament like this, nearly anything can happen. Still, there are certain match-ups that everyone would like to see. Accordingly, I have ranked the five best matchups that everyone would like to see in the final. Feel free to let me know what you think!

5. Brazil vs. Colombia

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Colombia is slowly starting to re-build its national team. They have been in a steady decline since their position at No. 5 in the FIFA Rankings in 2001.

Now, however, with the club success of Radamel Falcao, Colombia is looking to become a respectable squad in the next few years. They started the Copa America off with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica. Now, they have a chance to win their group. They control their own destiny, and they could put themselves in good position to go deep into the knockout stages.

As for this matchup, it would be a David vs. Goliath. Brazil is the best team on the continent, and they boast some of the best players in the world.

Colombia does not.

Assuming two juggernauts do not make it to the final, I think this would be the most intriguing matchup possible.

Prediction: Brazil 3 Colombia 1

4. Brazil vs. Chile

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Chile dominated a youthful Mexico in their first match, but they still conceded good chances. Brazil will (most likely) convert those chances.

When facing a stronger opponent, however, Chile will have a lot more focus. They are coming off their best World Cup showing in 40 years, and they are looking to keep building a strong squad. New coach Claudio Borghi is more of a hands-off coach, and he has allowed the Chileans to play their own game.

Brazil has also rediscovered their free-flowing attacking play. They had a disappointing World Cup, and they are looking to assert their dominance on their continent.

Chile likes to possess and Brazil likes to attack. These two styles could clash in an extremely entertaining final that would result in a lot of goals scored.

Prediction: Brazil 3 Chile 2

3. Brazil vs. Uruguay

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If you're looking for attack after attack, look no further. Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez each followed up their spectacular World Cup performances with great club seasons. Needless to say, Uruguay has some of the most in form players out of any team. They are a serious force to be reckoned with.

Once again, there's Brazil. Neymar, Pato, Robinho and Co. were held scoreless in their first match. That won't happen again. They will continue their flurry of attacks, and I don't think many teams have much of a chance to stop them.

As a result, I think a team will have to outscore them. Uruguay has the ability to outscore the Brazilians. Depending on who converts their chances, either team could win this matchup. At the end of the day, Forlan and Suarez have been on this big stage before. They will know what to do.

Prediction: Uruguay 3 Brazil 2

2. Argentina vs. Uruguay

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I don't think anyone wants to face Argentina in the Final. Facing a host country in the final is a beast that not many teams want to face.

Not to mention, Argentina boasts the best player in the world.

Lionel Messi is already becoming one of the greatest players in history, but he still needs some silverware from the international standpoint. There would be no better time for him to achieve greatness for Argentina than in front of his own country.

Diego Forlan was arguably the best player in last year's World Cup, and he would like to continue his dominance in a Uruguayan uniform. If he can continue to score goals (and facilitate Luis Suarez), Uruguay will have a good chance of winning the entire tournament.

These two countries have the most Copa America wins (14 each), and this matchup would allow them to settle that score against each other. I just think Argentina are too tough for Uruguay to overcome.

Prediction: Argentina 2 Uruguay 1

1. Argentina vs. Brazil

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Who doesn't want to see this Final? These are two of the best teams in the world, and they are easily the best two teams in the tournament.

Brazil dominated Argentina in the 2007 Final (3-0), but both countries have come a long way in the past four years. Argentina will be playing in front of a raucous home crowd, and the young Brazilians will have to deal with a very hostile environment.

Both teams are relatively young, and they are looking to make progress towards World Cup triumph in 2014. A 2013 Confederations Cup appearance would do wonders for that triumph. The winner of this match will make a serious statement, and they will gain tons of confidence moving forward.

The attacks will be exciting, and tremendous skill will be on display. You will not want to miss this match.

Prediction: Argentina 2 Brazil 1