Copa America 2024 is upon us, and that means reigning champions Argentina will be tasked with defending their title this summer in the United States.
On the face of it, Group A looks straightforward with Argentina and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi against Canada, Chile and Peru. Argentina are very likely to top their group with three wins and nine points on the board, but don’t rule out the other three teams just yet.
Canada, Chile and Peru all have their key players who can make things happen. Sure, they may not have a replica of Messi, but there will still be another team to join Argentina in the quarter-finals – meaning the head-to-head matches between these three countries will be interesting to watch.
Here it is 90min’preview of Group A in this summer’s Copa America.
Argentina’s much-anticipated star-studded team will no doubt put them alongside Brazil as the hosts to win the Copa America for the second time in a row. Messi has made it his goal to bring home the world cup for the past few years, and he has added another with the 2022 World Cup to cement himself as the greatest player to ever grace the field.
La Albiceleste should have no problems getting out of Group A unscathed in their bid to repeat as champions. The likes of Messi, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez will attack, while Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez start in the middle of the park with Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez at the back. Although the final squads for the tournament won’t be finalized until June 12, you can expect these players to play for Argentina if they avoid injury.
Alphonso Davies leads Canada in its first Copa America after playing a key role in the team reaching the 2022 World Cup for the first time in nearly four decades.
There’s no easy way to put this: Canada will be bottom of Group A and likely to battle Peru to avoid a bottom finish. Despite having talented players such as the aforementioned Davies, Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan, they face a difficult task to make it out of a competitive Group A that contains World Cup winners.
On paper, Chile appear to be the second strongest team in Group A with veteran Alexis Sanchez leading the way. It’s worth noting that Chile defeated Argentina twice in 2015 and 2016 on penalties to lift the Copa America title, and their shooting skills could be useful if they advance to the knockout stage.
The 35-year-old is likely to be called up to the squad ahead of the tournament as he recently featured in March’s international friendlies against Albania and France. Ben Brereton Diaz could partner the former Arsenal man up front, while 41-year-old Claudio Bravo looks set to start between the sticks.
Peru may not have the big names that garner the attention of Argentina and Chile, but they could still be the dark horses to finish second in Group A. Orlando City duo Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena will push for starting XI places, while Renato Tapia could buy in the middle. and the field.
Peru also reached the finals of the 2019 edition of the Copa America, which means they know how to face a tough competition despite not having many big names in their squad.
Matching day 1
Matching day 2
Matching day 3
Matching day 1
Matching day 2
Matching day 3
|
Position |
Nation |
Predicted Scores |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
In Argentina |
9 |
|
2. |
in Chile |
4 |
|
3. |
Peru |
2 |
|
4. |
Canada |
1 |
Source link
