Lionel Messi is the name on everyone’s lips but it is Salomon Rondon shining right now in the Copa America.
Much like the Euros, football’s biggest names have delayed their beach holidays for a shot at lifting South America’s biggest prize.
Messi-mania has taken over the United States during the Copa America with fans flocking to see the Argentina captainCredit: Getty
The United States is playing host to this year’s Copa America which features ten teams from South America (CONMEBOL) and six from North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF).
So far, the tournament has not disappointed with the main protagonists all comfortably into the quarter-finals.
LIONEL MESSI AT COPA AMERICA
All eyes have been on the Argentina captain who is bidding to win his third-consecutive international tournament with the Albiceleste.
Fresh off another impressive campaign with Inter Miami, fans have flocked to get a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
And they have not been short changed with Messi playing an instrumental role in firing Argentina to a clean sweep of victories in the group stage.
The 37-year-old is yet to find the net at this year’s Copa America but has dazzled fans with his usual brilliance epitomised by his superb assist for Lautaro Martinez, in the 2-0 win over Canada on opening night.
Messi was in ominous form again during Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile but was an unused substitute in a 2-0 win against Peru after picking up a minor groin injury.
The Inter Miami star returned to training on Monday and could feature in Thursday night’s quarter-final clash with Ecuador in Houston.
His Argentina teammate Martinez is in prolific form for Lionel Scaloni’s men and leads the scoring charts with four goals.
The Inter Milan striker is in red hot goal scoring form for ArgentinaCredit: GettyFORGOTTEN PREM STAR SHINES
Former Everton, Newcastle and West Brom striker Rondon is in a rich vein of form at the ripe age of 34.
The Venezuelan has raised eyebrows during the group stage so much so, he scooped the Player of the Match award in all three games and was named in the best XI of matchday three.
Rondon was something of a Premier League cult hero without ever setting the world alight but it appears that he’s still got plenty in the tank.
His two goals in the group stage helped Venezuela seal top spot in Group B alongside Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica.
And his efforts mean Venezuela will face Canada on Friday night for a place in the semi-finals.
Salomon Rondon has been in inspired form for table toppers VenezuelaCredit: AFPRondon was named in the Copa America’s best matchday three XIRondon netted 12 times during a season-long loan at Newcastle
But it’s not just goals that Rondon is offering his country, he is also providing assists as seen in the 2-1 win over Ecuador in the opening game.
His goal in Sunday night’s 3-0 thrashing of Jamaica was his 41st in 106 appearances for his country and few would bet against him adding to his tally before the tournament finishes on July 14.
Jose Mourinho admits he would’ve loved to have managed Lionel Messi but admits the Argentinian ‘was not coachable’
Rondon currently plays for Mexican side Pachuca, scoring 19 goals in 28 games across all competitions this season.
His last spell in English football came during the 2021/22 season with Everton before leaving for Argentine giants River Plate.
HOST NATION’S UNWANTED HISTORY
It all started so promisingly but two defeats on the bounce saw host nation USA crash out at the group stage.
A win over group whipping boys Bolivia set Gregg Berhalter’s men on their way but were immediately stopped in their tracks by a resurgent Panama and group favourites Uruguay.
And it was Monday’s defeat to Uruguay that sent pulses raising culminating in a bizarre exchange between Christian Pulisic and the match referee.
Christian Pulisic was left raging at a host of refereeing decisionsCredit: GettyPulisic went to shake referee Ortega’s hand at full time but unsurprisingly was left hangingCredit: X@barstoolsports
The former Chelsea star was left seething with a host of decisions that went against his side and at full time, referee Kevin Ortega was seen on camera refusing to shake Pulisic’s hand after the American appeared to gesture something to him.
“Honestly, I mean I saw things that I’ve never seen before right in front of my eyes today that I just I truly I can’t believe,” Pulisic told reporters. “It’s not why we lost; we’re not out of this tournament because of officiating.”
Meanwhile, nine-time winners of the Copa America Brazil are through to the last eight but they were made to work for it.
The Selecao came into the tournament in indifferent form and an opening goalless draw against Costa Rica did little to allay fans’ fears.
But they found their shooting boots on matchday two, comfortably seeing off Paraguay 4-1 thanks to two goals from Vinicius Junior and another from West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.
Vinicius Jr netted twice but it has been far from plain sailing for BrazilCredit: AFPLiverpool’s Darwin Nunez has impressed in Uruguay’s solid start to the Copa AmericaCredit: AFP
A 1-1 draw with eventual group winners Colombia saw Brazil stutter to the quarter-finals where they will face Darwin Nunez’s Uruguay.
The Liverpool striker has been in good form for Uruguay, netting twice in the group stages as the 15-time winners registered a 100 per cent record.
COPA AMERICA QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Argentina v Ecuador
Venezuela v Canada
Colombia v Panama
Uruguay v Brazil
Source link : https://talksport.com/football/1948125/copa-america-lionel-messi-salomon-rondon-venezuela/amp/
Author :
Publish date : 2024-07-03 08:58:58
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
