Copa America 2015: Live Stream, Odds, Predictions for Chile vs. Argentina Final

After some abrasive group-stage fixtures and gritty quarter-final clashes, the semi-finals saw this Copa America come alive. And if things continue to get better and better, the final between Chile and Argentina should be a treat for football supporters around the world.

La Roja produced a nervy display in their semi-final to get past an obdurate Peru side 2-1 and after searching for a spark throughout the entire tournament, the Albiceleste delivered in emphatic fashion last time out against Paraguay, romping to a stunning 6-1 victory.

It’s set up to be a fascinating final and an unmissable occasion. Here’s all the information you need on where to catch the match via a stream, a closer look at how the bookmakers are seeing things and a rundown of how the fixture is likely to play out before a vibrant Santiago backdrop.

To Lift the Trophy
First Goalscorer
Chile	6-4	Argentina	8-15
Lionel Messi (ARG)	7-2	Alexis Sanchez (CHI)	13-2
Sergio Aguero (ARG)	5-1	Angelo Henriquez (CHI)	15-2
Carlos Tevez (ARG)	11-2	Eduardo Vargas (CHI)	8-1
Gonzalo Higuain (ARG)	6-1	Mauricio Pinilla (CHI)	8-1

Match can be streamed via Premier Player (UK) and beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)

Odds accurate as of 9:30 a.m. (BST), July 1. For full listings and other markets check out OddsChecker.com.

Alexis Sanchez to Score First—13/2

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

The semi-final against Peru was the kind of encounter in which someone needed to get a grip of the game for Chile. Thankfully for La Roja, Eduardo Vargas did exactly that, hammering in two wonderful goals to haul his team over the line; usually it’s Alexis Sanchez assuming this talismanic mantle.

The Arsenal man has been a little short of his vibrant best in the knockout stages after an excellent group phase, with Uruguay and Peru doing well to limit the supply line into the effervescent forward.

But as noted here by ESPN’s Miguel Delaney, Sanchez was still composed in key moments:

The final is going to be the biggest game in the lives of a lot of these La Roja players and it’s vital the former Barcelona star exerts a controlling and settling influence again. 

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press/Associated Press

Tata Martino’s team will attack and subsequently, they will afford Sanchez more of the ball than he’s been used to so far. In addition, while the Albiceleste centre-back pairing of Ezequiel Garay and Nicolas Otamendi have coped well with physical forwards like Nelson Valdez, Edinson Cavani and Jackson Martinez so far, the intricacy of Alexis will pose an entirely different problem.

As Chilean football expert The Lone Star notes, Sanchez will have to get a move on if he’s not to be overhauled by Vargas in the all-time scoring stakes too:

He’s clearly a little short of sharpness after a gruelling season for club and country, but this is arguably the biggest game of Alexis’ career so far. Expect a dominant display from the forward, who’ll get his side off to a brilliant start.

Chile to Lift the Trophy—6/4

Luis Hidalgo/Associated Press

Jorge Sampaoli has turned this Chile team from a side that everyone loved to watch into a team that, while still aesthetic, knows how to win big games. And with what’ll be a raucous crowd behind them in Santiago, they’ll have enough to get past Argentina and win their first Copa America.

They’ll have to overcome a pretty poor head-to-head record, as we can see here courtesy of OptaFranz:

But even though the Albiceleste hit Paraguay for six last time out, looking at the competition as a whole, La Roja have been the standout team. They’ve played with cohesion and confidence in all their games; now Chile seem to have the mentality to make that final step.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

Sampaoli certainly thinks his team are ready for the challenge, per Alex Fisher of Goal.com:

"

We have achieved something great as a group of players, achieving the dream of playing the final of a tournament that is being played here in Chile. For the people and for us this was a dream we wanted to fulfil and it happened. 

Now we must be well prepared for what is coming, which we know will be an even tougher match than today.

"

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press

If Argentina turn it on like they did against Paraguay, they’ll be difficult to contain, especially with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria all potentially running riot. But Los Guaranies sat back and allowed Argentina to dictate; can you really see this tireless Chile team doing that?

La Roja will press forward with purpose and precision to knock Argentina out of their stride, posing big problems for an Albiceleste midfield which has lacked balance throughout this competition. It’ll be tight, tenacious and, for those fans with allegiances, difficult to watch at times. But it’s Chile’s time to etch their name into the storied annals of South American football.

Prediction: Chile 2-1 Argentina