Tag: copa-america

The semi finals were fantastic. While none of the matches went to overtime, there were multiple fights both on and off the pitch after Colombia eliminated Uruguay. It will be difficult for the final to surpass the drama and excitement. The remaining two teams are the best and have few weaknesses. This is an elimination match, meaning a tie after regulation leads to penalty kicks to decide the winner. Before picks are made, the numbers are for which team placed where in their assigned group. Here is the prediction for which team wins the championship and the Copa America trophy.

1A Argentina v. 1D Colombia

What a contrast in the Copa America championship final. Argentina was easily the best team in both groups A and B, cruising to an easy finals appearance. Many believed Colombia was a dark-horse championship candidate in groups C and D with well-known countries like Brazil and Uruguay as their main competition. Las Cafeteras went through harder opponents than El Albiceleste.

Match deciding factor: Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Cristian Romero and Argentina’s defense versus James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba, Miguel Borja and Colombia’s offense.

Argentina clinched their spot in the final with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez shutting out all but one opponent. Great defense from Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna and Cristian Romero made transition scoring on offense easier against teams like Canada and Peru. El Albiceleste hasn’t faced too much offensive pressure outside of Ecuador trying to send the quarterfinals to penalty kicks.

As many read from my last predictions and then watched versus Uruguay, Colombia’s chasing greatness with a roster in its prime. Las Cafeteras use constant offensive pressure, no matter the opponent. When Uruguay had an 11-on-10 men advantage in the second half of the semifinals, Colombia almost scored three more goals. They also performed well on defense. The semi-finals was the first round Las Cafeteras had to play defensive for at least one half and hold a shutout lead.

Argentina’s great on every side of the ball but they haven’t played an opponent that constantly pushes back and sets their own pace on both sides of the pitch. Captain James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Cordoba and Miguel Borja have the talent to stress out El Albiceleste’s defense and the tactics to douse Argentina’s spirit.

Prediction: Colombia wins 4-1 and takes home their second Copa America championship

Semifinals predictions record: 2-0

Total Copa America Predictions Record: 11-3

The quarter finals were filled with anxiety and excitement. Three of the four matches went to penalty kicks after regulation time. It will be difficult for the semi-finals to live up to the same fun. The remaining four teams are the best and most competitive ones we’ve watched this summer. As mentioned in the last article, there are no draws nor points given from ties. Every round is elimination, meaning ties after regulation lead to shootouts/penalty shots to decide winners. Before picks are made, the numbers are for which team placed where in their assigned group. Here are the predictions for which two teams advance to the title game.

1A Argentina v. 2A Canada

Not many thought the opening match of CONMEBOL’s 2024 Copa America would have a sequel. Argentina and Canada have come a long way since June 20th’s showdown. Canada’s played four great defensive matches while Argentina’s struggled in two of their last three. El Albiceleste’s offense gets goals from Lautaro and Lisandro Martinez while captain and star forward Lionel Messi is almost back to full health.

Forwards Jonathan David and Jacob Shaffelburg, and defenders Alphonso Davies and Alistair Johnston have led Canada’s progress since that first meeting. The quartet have to play perfect on all sides of the ball while forcing Argentina into mistakes Ecuador exploited last match. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau has to outperform Argentinian keeper Emiliano Martinez the whole match and not lose focus.

Despite Canada’s resurgence, Argentina is the better team. Yes, Crepeau and the defense stunned viewers with their defensive improvement in the first match, but El Albiceleste will find more weaknesses to exploit in 90 minutes.

Prediction: Argentina wins 4-1 and advances to the finals.

1C Uruguay v. 1D Colombia

The best semi-finals matchup in either football tournament. Colombia’s unbeaten in 27 straight matches while Uruguay’s the most physical team left in Copa America. The winner of this match will be the favorite to win the tournament. Las Cafeteras and La Celeste boast deep, talented offenses and shutdown defenses. They are both peaking at the best time and are well coached.

If there’s any visual indication on which team advances, it’s how both teams played Brazil. Uruguay and Brazil went back and forth on both sides of the ball, both teams got physical and La Celeste had to hold on after Nahitan Nandez’s red card. Colombia was a force on offense and had the Carinha on their heels most of their group stage match (despite clinching a quarterfinals spot), especially in the second half. Uruguay has to find a deterrent against the veteran Cafeteras giving their all each match. Don’t be surprised if offensive pressure from the forward quartet of Jhon Cordoba, Miguel Borja, Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias intensify once the second half starts.

Prediction: Colombia wins 4-2 and advances to the finals

Quarterfinals predictions record: 3-1

What a fun two weeks of football this June and early July. The group stage provided a lot of information on who has the best chance to make a deep run and give teams fits. While most of the eight teams eliminated put up a fight, the remaining eight were better and deserved to advance to the quarterfinals. Starting tonight, there are no draws nor points given from ties. Every round will be elimination. That means overtime and penalty kicks will decide winners. Before picks are made, the numbers are for which team placed where in their assigned group.

1A Argentina v. 2B Ecuador

It should baffle even casual sports fans that only six goals were scored between all four teams in group A. Five of the six came from Argentina as they won all three matches. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez recorded three shutouts despite constant pressure.

While Ecuador advanced, they struggled to consistently score. El Tricolor had four goals in three matches (three were in one match) and took an unexpected loss against Venezuela after an early red card. These struggles will amplify against an impressive Argentinian defense while El Albiceleste’s Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Julian Alvarez attack a more vulnerable Ecuador defense.

Prediction: Argentina wins 3-1

1B Venezuela v. 2A Canada

Many viewers expected Venezuela to crash out of round one. La Vinotinto proved many wrong, winning a pivotal opening match against Ecuador and shutting out their last two opponents.

Canada was the only other team in group A who scored a goal. The Canucks defense improved while the offense sputtered in all but one half. Venezuela is stout on defense, but the offense faces their hardest test of the tournament. La Vinotinto star forward Salomon Rondon and Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau will have highlight moments, but Crepeau can only keep his team in the match if the Canucks find ways to score.

Prediction: Venezuela wins in extra time 2-1

1C Uruguay v. 2D Brazil

The most exciting Copa America quarterfinals matchup. Brazil’s inconsistent play gives Uruguay their biggest challenge of the tournament. While veteran midfielder Luis Suarez wasn’t a factor most of the first round, defenders Matias Vina and Mathias Olivera, midfielder Maximiliano Araujo and forward Darwin Nunez scored most of Uruguay’s nine goals in three matches.

If the Canarinha win, it’s because Savio and Lucas Paqueta had to perform better and scored like they did against Paraguay. Since Vinicius Jr. is out after he drew two yellow cards in group play, it’ll be hard for Brazil to counter Uruguay’s scoring depth and stout defense.

Prediction: Uruguay wins 3-1

1D Colombia v. 2C Panama

Colombia’s one of the best teams in the tournament and proved it leading up to Copa America. Las Cafeteras got at least one point in each match while overwhelming defenses. Panama crumbled against the only championship threat they played in round one despite good defensive performances after. Colombia’s easily the better team and will show why before the first half ends.

Prediction: Colombia wins 3-1

Group play predictions record: 6-2