3️⃣ things we learned as Copa América Group A drama concludes
Copa América Group A action concluded on Saturday with Argentina and Canada moving on, while Chile and Peru bowed out.
Here is what we learned from the action.
This is Lautaro’s competition
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If you picked Lautaro Martinez to make a push for Copa América’s Golden Boot, well you’re in luck.
The Inter striker scored a staggering 27 club goals last season and (after receiving plenty of hate for a horrid showing in Qatar) is back scoring for the national team.
As Argentina struggled to crack a resilient and organized Peru, he found his touch in the second half with two seamless chips to secure the victory.
ARG 🇦🇷1-0🇵🇪 PER (50′)
Lautaro Martínez is the first player to score in the 3 games of the group stage of the same Copa América since Wanchope with Costa Rica and Víctor Hugo Aristizabal with Colombia made it in 2001. pic.twitter.com/t0HEjHGXgA
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) June 30, 2024
He now has four goals in the tournament, scoring in three straight games. Two of which were game-winners! Additionally, Martinez has nine goals in the 13 Copa América matches in his career.
Argentina’s squad depth is wild. There’s no doubt about it. But at this particular tournament, they have one key man to thank so far.
Canada can compete
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Plenty of eyes were on Jesse Marsch and his squad heading into this tournament.
Canada choked in Qatar and the Gold Cup. They lost former manager John Herdman and only found a new permanent head coach one month before the Copa América.
Yet after just five games in charge, Marsch made history with Canada by helping the tournament debutants reach the quarter-finals.
A formidable showing against Argentina followed by a 1-0 win over Peru and a hard-fought point over 10-man Chile was just enough.
The two best teams got out of the group. Canada will play for a place in the Copa America semi-finals and they won’t be a giant underdog. 0-0s don’t get much better.#CanMNT
— Oliver Platt (@plattoli) June 30, 2024
There is a new kind of determination within this current Canada squad. They appear up for the challenge, are more composed than in tournaments past, and the big names (Alphonso Davies, Stephen Eustaquio, Maxime Crepeau) have all matured.
Still – questions will be asked of this Canucks side moving forward. With just one goal from those five under Marsch, the attacking worries remain. Canada can only hold on for so long.
But after what was displayed in Group A, we know they can finally compete on the international stage.
Chile a powerhouse no more
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Plenty will be asked of Alexis Sanchez and company after 2015 and 2016 Copa América winners Chile crashed out.
And the statistics suggest they are a powerhouse no more.
Chile finished third in the group with two draws, one loss, and a stunning zero goals scored. This is the first time they have failed to score at the tournament in 107 years.
Additionally, it is the first time they have exited in the group stage of a major national teams tournament since 2004.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was their star man over three games (at the age of 41, too), with Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas, and Ben Brereton Díaz all failing to impress.
This will be a tournament to forget, for sure.
Source link : https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/3-things-learned-copa-am-025200270.html
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Publish date : 2024-06-29 23:25:21
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