By Chris O'Brien
July 23 2004

Manchester United pair Kleberson and Gabriel Heinze will face eachother in the final of the Copa America on Sunday as Brazil take on Argentina. Brazil reached the final with a penalty shoot-out victory over Diego Forlan's Uruguay, whilst Argentina beat Columbia.

A Manchester United player will get his hands on the Copa America trophy for the first time as Brazil take on Argentina in the 2004 final. Red Devils duo Kleberson and Gabriel Heinze will go head to head as the two pre-tournament favourites battle it out for the ultimate in South American success.

Brazil reached the final with a penalty shoot-out victory over Uruguay. The two sides battled out a 1-1 draw, but the young and inexperienced Brazilian side, of which Kleberson is the only World Cup winner named in the squad, beat their old rivals on spot-kicks. Diego Forlan was dropped from the Uruguayan starting line-up, but failed to have an impact when introduced latterly as a substitute.

Heinze's Argentina reached Sunday's final with a comfortable victory over holders Columbia. Marcelo Bielsa's side were rarely troubled by the underdogs and cruised to the last two with a 3-0 victory. Sir Alex Ferguson would have been pleased with the solid defensive display that summer acquisition Gabriel Heinze served up at the heart of the defence. The no nonsense defender has played every minute of Argentina's campaign and has unquestionably been one of the players of the competition.

The duo now meet in Sunday's final which promises to be an intriguing and electric contest. Brazil are without all of their famous world stars, but the youngsters who have played in the competition have shown tremendous promise and will favourites Argentina a real game for the trophy.