Copa America Quarter-Finals: What to Expect
The Copa America has entered the quarter-final stage, with some of the biggest teams still in contention for the title. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay are among the favorites, while some underdogs have also managed to secure a spot in the last eight. Let’s take a closer look at the key stories to watch out for in the Americas’ biggest tournament.
Uruguay, under the guidance of former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, has been impressive so far. Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has played a significant role in their success, scoring in their wins against Panama and Bolivia. Despite facing tough opponents in Brazil, Uruguay’s technical strength and the impressive performance of Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde make them a formidable team. They knocked out the United States in the group stage and will be looking to cause another upset.
Argentina star Lionel Messi is hoping to shine in what might be his last major tournament. However, he struggled in the injury-hit group stage and failed to score for the first time in a Copa America group stage. Although he managed an assist in Argentina’s win against Canada, he was forced to sit out their game against Peru due to a groin issue. Messi has returned to training, and with Argentina facing Ecuador, whom they beat 1-0 in a friendly in June, they are expected to come out on top. The big question remains whether Messi can find his form and lead his team to victory.
Brazil, the tournament favorites, face a setback with Vinicius Jr’s suspension for the quarter-finals. The five-time World Cup winners were held by Colombia in their final group-stage match, and Vinicius’s absence will be felt as he is their top scorer at Copa America. However, Brazil still has a strong squad and talented players who can step up in his absence. They need to make the most of their resources and avoid a potential upset from a firing Uruguay side.
Canada’s debut Copa America has been noteworthy, as they have reached the knockout stage. Managed by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, Canada has shown strength despite struggling for goals in the group stage. Lille striker Jonathan David is one of their main threats, and they will be hoping to continue their impressive run. While Panama has exceeded expectations in the group stage, Colombia’s superior quality and talented players like Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and former Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez make them the favorites in their quarter-final clash.
In conclusion, the Copa America quarter-finals promise exciting matchups and intriguing storylines. From Uruguay’s underdog status to Messi’s quest for form and Brazil’s challenge without Vinicius Jr, there is plenty to look forward to. Additionally, Canada’s impressive debut and Panama’s surprise package status add further intrigue to the tournament. Football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the outcome of these thrilling quarter-final fixtures.