The 2024 Copa América may have saved the best for last, with Group D featuring two teams that have a realistic shot at the title and another two that could make a lot of noise over the coming weeks. Brazil is, of course, a perennial threat to claim the title, while Colombia also possesses the talent to embark on a deep run and is enjoying a searing run of form. Paraguay and Costa Rica could also surprise, with both nations having demonstrated their tournament mettle in recent years. Unlike many competitions, the six matches will be held in six different venues spread across Texas, California, and Nevada.
Schedule
Monday, June 24th
Colombia vs. Paraguay – 6:00 p.m. Eastern, 3:00 p.m. Pacific
Brazil vs. Costa Rica – 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific
Friday, June 28th
Colombia vs. Costa Rica – 6:00 p.m. Eastern, 3:00 p.m. Pacific
Paraguay vs. Brazil – 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific
Tuesday, July 2nd
Brazil vs. Colombia – 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific
Costa Rica vs. Paraguay – 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific
Brazil
The Seleção (The Selection) is hunting for a tenth Copa América with the usual collection of European standouts and domestic talents. However, this is far from the dominant squad of past years, as evidenced by a current sixth-place standing in the World Cup qualifying table – while there are still 12 matchdays left to play, the team is a mere two points of distance from the danger zone. Dorival Júnior was hired to right the ship, with the new manager claiming that the current “difficult moment” can be “reversed quickly.” The young core of attackers could be just potent enough to outscore opponents.
FIFA Ranking: 5
Recent Record: Bouncing back from a three-match losing streak in World Cup qualifying, Brazil looked stronger in March’s friendlies with a win over England (3-0) and an energetic draw with Spain (3-3). Pre-tournament exhibitions resulted in a victory against Mexico (3-2) and a tie versus the United States (1-1).
Odds of Winning Group: In the running
One to Watch: If Endrick is looking to add to his growing legend, then leading Brazil to the title as a teenager would be a thrilling chapter in a growing tome of early accomplishments. The left-footed 17-year-old Palmeiras attacker will join Real Madrid at the conclusion of the tournament, winning two national and state league titles with Verdão (Big Green). Instead of asking what he can do, the more expedient line of questioning is considering his limitations, of which there are none. Pacey and dynamic, he is capable of lining up as a striker, winger, and attacking midfielder with audacious dribbling, a divine first touch, piercing distribution, and effortless scoring at all distances and in all manners.
Colombia
Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) claimed the program’s sole Copa América title in 2001 but have been unable to reach the final since. After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, the campaign for 2026 appears on track with an undefeated 3-0-3 record that includes a victory over Brazil. Relatively inexperienced manager Néstor Lorenzo has the team looking fearless and ready to take on all comers with intense high-pressure tactics and a willingness to manipulate his lineups in order to unsettle the opponent. Scoring can be an issue with limited available options, but international tournaments are won with stout back lines and coherent tactical plans.
FIFA Ranking: 12
Recent Record: Colombia claimed both of March’s friendlies, taking down Spain (1-0) and Romania (3-2). Pre-tournament exhibitions resulted in a dominant victory over the United States (5-1) and a win against Bolivia (3-0).
Odds of Winning Group: Favorites
One to Watch: For Colombia to advance deep into the tournament, someone is going to have to score, and that responsibility largely falls upon the shoulders of Luis Díaz. The 27-year-old Liverpool attacker had 13 goals this past season but also bagged the brace in the 2-1 qualifying victory over Brazil, a result that sent shockwaves through the international scene. The “game-changer” exhibits intelligent movement without the ball in addition to a “great touch” and “strong counter-pressing.” His creativity is on full display whether in transition or operating from a standing position on the wing, equally capable of pushing the tempo and stalling for time while waiting to play a dangerous pass.
Paraguay
This is probably not the time for La Albirroja (The White and Red) to claim a third title, but the worm could be slowly turning after a decade of middling status. The team has a few notable talents at, near, or sliding out of the peak of their respective careers, but the timing might simply be off for the current generation; World Cup qualification currently teeters on the brink and could easily slip away. Manager Daniel Garnero preaches a mix of “defensive stability” while also “capitalizing on set pieces” and allowing skilled soloists to influence matches with moments of “individual brilliance.” Attempts to inspire a more attacking thrust fell flat during the fall, although this particular competition could be the time for the spark to ignite the flame.
FIFA Ranking: 56
Recent Record: A March friendly against Russia was “put off indefinitely” due to the terrorism attack in Moscow. Three pre-tournament exhibitions resulted in a draw against Peru (0-0), a loss to Chile (0-3), and a victory over Panama (1-0).
Odds of Winning Group: Needs help
One to Watch: With Venezuela unlikely to light up the scoreboard, Carlos Coronel will be required to perform above and beyond the call of duty in order to secure advancement to the knockout phase. The 27-year-old Brazil-born goalkeeper is in his fourth season as the number one for the New York Red Bulls after beginning his career with Red Bull Salzburg. Standing 6’4” but with above-average athleticism, he is quick to leave the box in order to challenge for the ball and has a high rate of accuracy on long-distance passes, thriving in his club’s gegenpressing system. Less of a box controller and more of a shot stopper, his style is fairly steady and deliberate with a minimal amount of footwork before shifting into dives or the occasional K save.
Costa Rica
The group’s lone CONCACAF representative qualified for the competition by defeating Honduras (3-3) in a playoff. However, outside of that particular highlight, recent times have been mostly dire as the program struggles to hold onto the status of being the third or fourth best in the region — i.e., failing to advance past the quarterfinal round at three straight Gold Cups and being a non-factor in the Nations League. The golden generation has mostly moved on outside of a few notable names, but reaching the knockout stage would be a definite step in the right direction for Gustavo Alfaro. The 61-year-old Argentine, who was most recently in charge of Ecuador, stated that the team is at “10% of what [he] intends” with an “aggressive, offensive, coordinated” 5-2-3 tactical set-up that quickly pushes players into the final third.
FIFA Ranking: 52
Recent Record: Beside the aforementioned victory to reach the Copa América, Costa Rica played two friendlies: the first resulted in a win over El Salvador (2-0), while the latter was a defeat to Argentina (1-3). Earlier this month, World Cup qualifying matches yielded triumphs over Saint Kitts and Nevis (4-0) and Grenada (3-0).
Odds of Winning Group: Needs help
One to Watch: Once the great hope for the program, Manfred Ugalde stopped accepting call-ups under Fernando Suárez and only returned following his dismissal. Still only 22 years old, the forward put up respectable numbers at Lommel SK and FC Twente before signing with Spartak Moscow in January. He is a “high-volume shooter who can produce powerful strikes” and “enjoys peeling off of his defender’s shoulder” with an intelligent manipulation of space and inherent ability to find himself in opportune areas. Despite standing a mere 5’8”, his dribbling and micromovements enable him to evade larger defenders, claiming a surprising number of free headers. Total Football Analysis notes that his impact is not limited to the final third, as his heatmap extends into midfield in order to “support [his team’s] attacks.”
Which teams do you think will emerge from Group D? Which matches are the most interesting to you? Let us know in the comment section.
Source link : https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2024/6/19/24179672/2024-copa-america-group-d-preview-colombia-paraguay-brazil-costa-rica-champion-schedule-teams
Author :
Publish date : 2024-06-19 10:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
