Although the romantic and sentimental play would be for Di Maria to score or assist on his final international appearance, this play focuses more on his sheer will to win and mentality.

His metrics are modest for this with just 0.22 fouls committed per 90 minutes across the past few international seasons, however, in the context of a final like this, we can easily see a cynical foul being committed during the 90 minutes.

Some key candidates to draw challenges include Luis Diaz, Johan Mojica and Jefferson Lerma, who have totalled 19 fouls drawn over the course of the tournament. Averaging 2.44, 1.78 and 1.14 fouls drawn per 90 respectively, Di Maria may certainly have his hands full if called into defensive duties.

With the potential of needing to deal with the threat from the likes of Luis Diaz at times down the flank, who has drawn in 2+ fouls in all of his last four outings at the tournament, there is value in this selection. Mojica was also fouled twice in the semi-final against Uruguay, as well as in four of his five games at the tournament, and he completes a left flank that could cause Di Maria a few defensive headaches.

Argentina will achieve an incredible feat of winning back-to-back Copa Americas, with a World Cup victory in between them, if they manage to beat Colombia.

They’ve conceded just one goal in five games so far in the tournament and looked fairly comfortable throughout, with the possible exception against Ecuador in the quarter-final. Colombia have beaten Argentina just once in 12 games and the Argentines were the last team to defeat Colombia, prior to the Colombian’s unbeaten run which has now stretched to 28 games.

The Argentines have vast experience of these pressure situations in recent tournaments, in sharp contrast to this Colombian side who have the chance to win just their second Copa America title ever.

Although Messi has had a relatively quiet tournament by his standards, he’s been fairly consistent in getting shots on target.

He hit a shot in target in successive games against Canada and Ecuador and hit three against the Canadians in the opening game. On average, he has had 1.66 shots on target per 90 across the past few international seasons.

This game is being played in Miami, his new home where he will want to put on a show. Whether through open play or a set piece, there’s a very good chance of this line landing, especially with the fatigue that may have set into Colombian legs after their tough fought second half (while being down to 10 men) against Uruguay in the semi-final.

We’ve touched on Messi’s quiet tournament so far but taking things one step further from a shot on target, we will look to get the GOAT in the book for a goal here too.

Messi has an absurd 109 goals in 186 appearances for Argentina and has won everything there is to win in the game. He’ll have been delighted to have finally been of the mark in the tournament with a goal against Canada and his propensity for moments of sheer brilliance in the cauldron of fierce pressure is unrivalled.

If there’s a free kick opportunity or a penalty awarded, he’ll be first in line to take it.

Although Camilo Vargas hasn’t necessarily been the busiest in this tournament so far, he still needed to make five saves over two matches against Panama (group stage and quarter-final), two against Brazil and two against Uruguay.

However, Argentina will be the toughest defensive test for this team so far, and the last time the two sides met, Vargas was required to make four saves in a 1-0 win for the Argentines.

In the absence of some key players for this game, especially in defensive areas, the Colombians may struggle to reach the same levels of defensive organisation that they’ve had so far, and open the door for Argentina to break through their lines.

To very little surprise, Romero is a key target for the booking markets for Monday’s clash, and despite the Argentine having a pretty ‘tame’ competition by his standards, his reputation of putting his absolute most on the line in the big games can’t be ignored.

Romero has had four starts from five games so far at the tournament, committing at least one foul in half of those features. He picked up two fouls in Argentina’s group stage victory over Chile and a foul in the quarter final against Ecuador, which yields the Spurs man an average of 0.70 fouls per 90 so far.

Colombia have been prolific at drawing in fouls, averaging 14.60 fouls against per 90 and there are plenty of potential candidates to fall into Romero’s traps in this clash. Notably, the likes of Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez and Jefferson Lerma will cause Romero the biggest headaches, each drawing in 2.44, 1.95 and 1.14 fouls per 90 so far this tournament.

Colombia have shown their love for playing down the wings and their key talisman, Luis Diaz, should encounter Romero on a couple of occasions.