The group stage is now history, and it’s time for the ultimate battles of truth.
While Europe eagerly awaits the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, on the other side of the ocean, the equally intriguing Copa America has also reached its final phase, with the eight best teams advancing.
The elimination phase will lose some of its shine due to one of the tournament’s biggest surprises: The hosts, the USA, were eliminated in the group stage.
The Americans, considered sure quarter-finalists, failed to overcome their group with Uruguay, Bolivia, and Panama, thus failing their dress rehearsal for the home World Cup, where they will likely play with their current squad of players.
The quarter-final battles will begin with one of the biggest contenders for the title—the world champion and current Copa America champion, Argentina.
Argentina will face Ecuador in this step towards the coveted final. The team will continue its title defence with a quarter-final against Ecuador.
Everything is going perfectly for the “Gauchos.”
They played the first match of the tournament and will have an extra day of rest over each subsequent opponent. In the next phase, their opponent will be Venezuela or Canada, so we can consider Argentina a sure finalist.
Argentina won Group A convincingly.
They achieved three victories without conceding a goal. According to xG statistics, Argentina should have scored at least eight goals.
Messi and his teammates created numerous scoring opportunities, but only five goals against Canada, Chile, and Peru.
The toughest match was expected against Chile, but only because Lautaro Martinez’s winning goal came in the 88th minute.
Statistics show that since losing to Saudi Arabia in their first match of the 2022 World Cup, Argentina has had 22 wins and only one defeat.
Their record against Ecuador is also impressive.
Argentina has six wins and one draw against Ecuador since 2015, with a goal difference of 16:3. They beat Ecuador 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in September.
They repeated the result in a friendly 20 days ago in Chicago.
Ecuador was the favorite in Group B, but their campaign began with an early red card for captain Enner Valencia and a loss to Venezuela.
Ecuador continued with a victory over Jamaica despite showing significant defensive weaknesses in the second half and should be pleased that the score was not equalized.
The most important match was the last one against Mexico.
Only a win would have advanced the “Aztecs,” they were the more active team, but Ecuador held firm in defense and secured the invaluable 0-0 draw.
Argentina is in the Copa America quarter-finals for the fifteenth consecutive time, and it seems certain they will advance again.
Ecuador does not match the world champion’s class, and expectations are for a repeat of the previous edition’s quarter-final, where Argentina won 3-0.
Fans anticipate total domination from the hosts in every game phase without difficulty.
In the other match on this side of the draw, Venezuela and Canada — two of the tournament’s surprises—will face off.
Nine points and a goal difference of 6:1 rightfully sent the most modest South American football nation to the quarter-finals, and their opponent couldn’t be more convenient on the surface.
However, the best Canadian team in the country’s history shocked everyone with their performance, earning four points from matches against Peru and Chile.
New coach Jesse Marsch has worked wonders with this squad, leading the “Maple Leafs” to their first-ever Copa America knockout stage.
Now, a win over Venezuela will separate the Canadians from an even greater achievement—reaching the semi-finals. Most neutral fans believe Venezuela is the most valuable and highly motivated team.
The unpredictability of the match’s outcome makes it extremely interesting and eagerly awaited by all fans.
If there is a match where nothing can be predicted, it will undoubtedly be the highlight of the quarter-final clashes: the mega showdown between Uruguay and Brazil.
Uruguay is in excellent form at Copa America 2024, having won its last three matches. In the final group match, Uruguay defeated the USA with a minimal 1-0 result. Previously, Uruguay thrashed Bolivia 5-0, showcasing impressive offensive strength.
In the group stage, Uruguay overcame Panama 3-1, highlighting its stable form and attacking efficiency. Dynamics and rhythm are key aspects that can change the course of the match at any minute.
Marcelo Bielsa has built a fantastic team.
Brazil has also shown stability and quality in its Copa America performances but finished second in its group. It drew 1-1 with Colombia in the final group match, demonstrating offensive power that was not enough for victory.
Brazil overcame Paraguay with a convincing 4-1 win and previously had a goalless draw with Costa Rica.
Uruguay and Brazil met recently in World Cup qualifiers, where Uruguay won 2-0.
However, Brazil has historically dominated their recent encounters, outplaying Uruguay in previous meetings.
In this match, Brazil will also have to cope without their star player Vinicius Junior, who will miss the game due to suspension for accumulating two yellow cards.
Regardless, the match promises to be a true spectacle, and if the expected goal thriller materializes, it could become one of the most iconic clashes of the tournament.
The last quarter-final will determine a semi-finalist between Colombia and Panama. Although from two different continents, these countries share a common border.
It’s a regional derby, but technically, Colombia is the overwhelming favorite.
Panama is undoubtedly one of the tournament’s sensations, reaching the knockout stage thanks to victories over the USA and Bolivia, but now the task seems insurmountable.
Panama has reached the Copa America quarter-finals for the first time in their history, and it feels like a fairy tale for them.
Experts believe this achievement is sufficient success for them.
Predictions are for an easy Colombian victory, but Panama has already created one sensation, so why not see another miracle from them?
Read More About Nations and Copa America 2024.
