Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on in the second half against Ecuador during an International … [+] Friendly match at Soldier Field on June 09, 2024 in Chicago
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Argentina are the World Cup champions, the current Copa América title holders and of course they have Lionel Messi. It’s not rocket science, nor is it a revelation to have them down as strong favourites to retain their title this summer.
Their group fixtures are:
Canada, June 20th in Atlanta
Chile, June 25th in New Jersey
Peru, June 29th in Miami
An Argetina squad with incredible quality and camaraderie resemble that which won the 2022 World Cup and the very fact that not much has changed is the reason why they remain the team to beat in South America. The squad is like one big family now. They have been incredibly successful together and they have found a winning formula that has eluded Argentina teams of the past decade or two.
In a one-off game Argentina can be beaten. Uruguay defeated them in Buenos Aires recently and Brazil and Colombia will take some stopping. However, the tournament draw has fallen so firmly in the favour of the Albiceleste that they cannot face Brazil, Colombia or Uruguay until the final of this tournament and that, quite frankly, is an outrageous advantage.
Darwin Nuñez of Uruguay scores the team’s second goal during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match … [+] between Argentina and Uruguay at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 16, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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If Argentina win Group A then they face the runners-up of Group B in the last eight. That could be Mexico or Venezuela, for argument’s sake, and assuming other things play out as planned the best opposition they will face in the semis is Ecuador, who are probably the best team in Group B. This would not be an easy game by any means, but the entire run to the final would be a fairly relaxed one when compared to the other side of the draw.
Of course football doesn’t work in simple ways and surprises will surface, but the fact that no circumstances can see Argentina face another tipped contender until the final is a blessing. They should be able to manage player minutes on their way to glory, whilst whoever they face in the final will have to win various mighty battles on the other side of the draw just to get there.
It will be interesting to see how Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni sets out his team in crunch matches. Undoubtedly there will be some rotation in the group phase but what is his strongest starting XI?
At the Qatar 2022 World Cup it did seem that Julián Álvarez was the perfect fit up top, but this season his playing time has been pretty limited. Lautaro Martínez on the other hand has been sensational as the main man for title winning Inter Milan. Can both of these strikers and Lionel Messi fit into the same line-up? There will be headaches like this one for Scaloni, but it’s good to have options.
Talking about Lionel Messi; he is still the best player in world football on his day. Against lesser opponents that play a low defensive block the Argentina captain will be delighted. He will drop out of the forward line to find time and space on the ball and execute killer passes.
Expect to see Argentina in the final. Anything less would be a huge failure for the team ranked number one on the planet. They must take advantage of a generous draw and arrive to the last game of the tournament in better shape than their opponents if they want to make history. This title would be their third major international title in a row and a second consecutive Copa América.
Aerial view of fans of Argentina gathering at the Obelisk as they wait for the victory parade of … [+] the Argentina men’s national football team after winning the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on December 20, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Source link : https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephosullivan/2024/06/11/lionel-messi-and-argentina-are-big-favourites-at-copa-amrica-2024/
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Publish date : 2024-06-11 04:33:06
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