Crespo recovers for Copa final

Maracaibo, Venezuela:

Argentina striker Hernan Crespo was recovered from a thigh injury and available to play Brazil in the Copa America final on Sunday.

Crespo pulled a muscle in his right thigh converting a penalty in Argentina's 4-2 win over Colombia on July 2. It was his third goal of the South American championship.

Initially, the Inter Milan player was doubtful to appear again in the tournament, but he stayed with the team in Venezuela in the hopes of recovering in time for the final.

Coach Alfio Basile has yet to confirm his starting lineup for Sunday's match, but Crespo's teammates were overjoyed by his speedy recovery.

"It's very important, not only for what Hernan means to the team and the fine start he had to the tournament, but also from a motivational standpoint," midfielder Esteban Cambiasso said. "I'm lucky to share a room with him and I know - the whole team knows - how much he's struggled to reach the finals when earlier it looked impossible."

Crespo's goal against Colombia was his 35th in 64 international appearances, and allowed him to surpass Diego Maradona for second on Argentina's list of all-time scorers, behind Gabriel Batistuta's 56 goals.