Copa America Final: The best play on Chile-Argentina

Chile vs. Argentina, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, 8 p.m. ET

Chile +400
Argentina -135
Draw +255

How they got here:

The two best teams in the tournament meet in the Copa America final for the second straight year. Last year's game went to penalty kicks, with Chile prevailing after a hard fought 0-0 draw on home soil.

This tournament saw these proud soccer nations renew their rivalry in the group stage opener, Argentina winning 2-1 despite playing without Lionel Messi. Chile rebounded from that loss by squeaking by Bolivia in stoppage time.

Since then Chile have been razor sharp on the attack, flattening Mexico in the quarters before easily dispatching Colombia in the semis.

Who to watch:

You couldn't ask for more star power than Alexis Sanchez matched up against Lionel Messi. They won't be the only big names on display though.

We know about the highlight-reel goals each side can produce, but neither team's defense gets enough credit. Argentina has conceded just twice this tournament; once in their opener against Chile at the death and once to Venezuela in a match where the result was already decided.

Sergio Romero hasn't seen a lot of work but responded with aplomb when called upon. Javier Mascherano anchors Argentina's back line, a unit that will be tested by the speed and athletes on a Chilean side that has yet to trail this entire tournament.

I was critical of Chile's defense leading into the knockout stage after they conceded in every single group game. Since then they've buckled down with consecutive clean sheets. Claudio Bravo has looked more like himself; he'll need to be even better against Argentina than he was in the first meeting when he was beaten to the short post by Angel Di Maria.

If Chile is to spring the upset, they'll need Gary Medel to hold down the defense with Arturo Vidal playing like a man possessed after missing the semis due to yellow card accumulation.

What will happen:

Everyone expects fireworks when you have so many big names on the pitch.

But the first meeting saw these teams start slowly; an early second-half score opened things up. Chile knows their best bet is to sit deep, forcing Messi to break them down in space. They'll look to counter when the opportunity presents itself, but won't be in a hurry to force the action early like they've done so far in the knockout phase.

Ultimately, Argentina has too much firepower and will end its 23-year major tournament drought. But at halftime, I fully expect a stalemate.

The Play: 1st Half Draw (+110)