Once the group stage of the Copa América 2024 is over, there is already a lot to be done the outlook for the remainder of the continental competition is now clearer and which teams could be seen as the clear contenders to win the championship on July 14.
This group stage culminated with a pleasant and unique ‘Vinotinto’ flavor, and that is that the Venezuela’s national team was undoubtedly the big surprise in the first stage of the continental competition, in which Argentina and Uruguay maintained their status as favourites, while Colombia also impressed and Mexico was one of the most disappointing teams in the tournament.
This phase of the Copa América was also overshadowed by low attendance at the stadiums for some matches and some refereeing controversies that caused several of the participating teams to protest on more than one occasion.
The oldest championship in the world will have to continue from next Thursday with which the quarter-finals will be and they have been established as follows:
Argentina vs. Ecuador – Thursday, July 4
Venezuela vs. Canada – Friday, July 5
Colombia vs. Panama – Saturday, July 6
Uruguay vs. Brazil – Saturday, July 6
The good: Venezuela making history
For the first time in the history of its participation in the Copa América, La Vinotinto, Venezuela managed to remain undefeated in its group, obtaining 3 victories and 9 points to its credit.
Three resounding victories against teams like Ecuador (2-1), Mexico (1-0) and Jamaica (3-0) to secure their ticket to qualify for the quarter-finals, where they will face Alphonso Davies’ Canada.
A very different story from what the Vinotinto’s participation in the Cup has been America. From 1967 to 2007, the local team had only managed to achieve one victory. And in the last 15 championships, it has only made it past the group stage on four occasions, reaching the semi-finals in the 2011 edition.
Today Venezuela is being led by its captain and the maximum top scorer in the history of La Vinotinto, the star striker of the Tuzos del Pachuca and former player of Málaga, Newcastle and Rubín Kazan, Salomón Rondón. The striker has managed to be the MVP in the 3 group stage matches and so far has two goals in the 2024 edition.
In addition to this, it must be remembered that Venezuela has only allowed 1 goal. so far this championship, thanks to their great defense and goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
Neither Lionel Messi, nor Lautaro Martinez, nor Julian Alvarez, nor Alexis Sanchez, nor James Rodriguez, nor Luis Diaz, nor Vinicius Junior, nor Rodrygo Goes, nor Darwin Nunez. Say hello to the only player who has been chosen as MVP in the 3 DAYS of the current Copa America. With almost 35… pic.twitter.com/TJpWJVz2lj
— Invictos (@InvictosSomos) July 1, 2024
The good: Lautaro Martínez in “matador” mode
Who could shine more than Rosario’s idol, Lionel Messi with Argentina? Inter Milan star striker Lautaro Martinez is the man who stepped up and took responsibility for leading the team through the group stage.
The so-called ‘Toro’ managed to score 4 of the 5 goals with which Argentina earned their ticket to the quarterfinals. Peru scored a double, then had the winning goal against Chile at their feet and scored another against Canada.
“These moments, obviously, are the ones that are most enjoyed, but when not “I was also calm because I always know that I give 100% for this shirt. I kill myself in every training session to be able to be in the team, so I’m happy and content,” he told the newspaper Clarín in his country.
The bad: Mexico’s failure
The Mexican team had the mission of being able to place itself among the 4 best teams of this Copa America, but unfortunately this did not happen as a result of poor performance on the field. The Aztec forwards could not perform and the offensive and defensive scheme implemented by coach Jimmy Lozano was not the best for each of the matches he had to face.
The 2024 US edition is one of the biggest failures in the history of the Mexican team in Copa América participations.
Mexico started the tournament on the right foot by obtaining a victory against Jamaica (1-0), subsequently lost to Venezuela (0-1) and could not go beyond a draw against Ecuador (0-0). The few goal opportunities they managed in the tournament were wasted by their forwards Santiago Giménez, César Huerta, Julián Quiñones or Orbelín Pineda (who missed a penalty).
The ugly: the refereeing controversies
Despite the support of technology, the ongoing Copa America has been bathed in There were many moments of controversy and dispute for many teams; the Chilean national team was the team that considered itself most affected by the VAR decisions.
One incident was the winning goal that Argentina got in what they considered an offside by the Argentine player Giovani Lo Celso. The goal was reviewed by the VAR, which approved the position of the Argentine player, who gave the pass to Lautaro Martínez to score.
The other incident that occurred was one in which Conmebol recognized that there was a error in an assault by the Canadian player, Moise Bombito, against the Chilean Rodrigo Echeverria, which was reviewed by the VAR and left without any sanction. And after that, the referee sent off Gabriel Suazo for a second yellow card in a play in which it seemed obvious to many fans and experts in the field that there was no foul in the play.
Many also consider the goal that was disallowed for the Colombian to be an injustice. Dávinson Sánchez against Brazil in the most recent matchday of the group stage, by VAR.
The VAR in the Copa América is shameful and unacceptable. In COL 1-1 BRA, 19′ goal disallowed for Davinson, they draw lines over Córdoba and not over the scorer; the scorer does not appear in the image to know when the ball goes out and the VAR image from behind is rude.
The image… pic.twitter.com/fYCT0cxsPD— Cesar Augusto Londoño (@cesaralo) July 3, 2024
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