Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the trophy after the team’s victory during the CONMEBOL … [+] Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia
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Now the dust has settled on an entertaining Copa América 2024 teams and organisations will be looking back on this summer in the U.S.A, analysing where they are ahead of the World Cup in two years time. It’s fair to say that some are in a far better position than others and whilst winners are celebrating others will have Copa hangover until the next set of international matches in September.
Winners:
Argentina
Argentina are the big winners on the continent once more. Despite a relaxed run to the final the World Cup champions beat the nations in front of them and went on to lift a historic third consecutive major title.
In the knockout stages Argentina couldn’t beat Colombia or Ecuador over 90 minutes, which shows they struggled to find their rhythm in this tournament. Yet at the same time, those extra time and penalty shoot-out wins show that this team hasn’t lost their sense of identity or the ability to get the games over the line. That’s what makes a winning team. The very nous that they were missing for so many years of hurt prior to their 2021 Copa success.
Argentina will take on Spain next year in another ‘Finalissima,’ as World champions and back-to-back winners of the Copa América.
Venezuela
Venezuela had surprised plenty of teams in FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying last year and now they have delighted their fans again at the 2024 Copa América.
The ‘vino tinto’ defeated Ecuador in a crucial opening fixture and went on to win all three group matches, which absolutely nobody would have predicted. They will rue a missed opportunity to play in the semifinals after defeat to Canada in the quarters though. Regardless of that loss, they have become a competitive side once again and look on course to compete at the next World Cup, which would be the biggest achievement in the history of the national team.
Venezuela’s players gather during a penalty shoot-out in the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament … [+] quarter-final football match between Venezuela and Canada. They were seconds away from the final four after winning all three group matches.
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Canada
Canada lost to eventual winners Argentina in the final four, after their last eight shoot-out victory over Venezuela. They were the only one of the three 2026 FIFA World Cup hosts to make it past the group stage at this Copa.
CONCACAF champions Mexico and rivals U.S.A were talked about a lot more coming into this tournament but both of them failed badly and now the U.S. are searching for a new coach ahead of their own World Cup in two years time.
Perhaps Jesse Marsch, who of course is now coaching Canada, might have the type of profile they are looking for ahead of the tournament in two seasons time. Marsch however is now flying the flag for northern neighbours Canada, who looked like a tricky side to play against despite two defeats against Argentina and a penalty shoot-out defeat to Uruguay.
Colombia
Colombia may have lost the final but in the grand scheme of things they have had an incredibly successful campaign. They hadn’t lost for 28 games before the final and managed to get the better of both Brazil and Uruguay on their way to Miami. Despite such a rich run of form not many predicted they would get to the final.
Argentina were always big favourites for this title but Colombia showed they can be top challengers and have no fear. The best of the rest might have earnt a bit more luck on the night too. They were not played off the park by any means, but edged out by the winning experience of Argentina after 120 minutes of play. Colombia’s fantastic young squad will go again.
MIAMI GARDENS, UNITED STATES – JULY 15: James Rodriguez of Colombia was named player of the … [+] tournament at this Copa América and will look to lead his side to another run at the 2026 World Cup
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Losers:
Brazil
Brazil can only be seen as losers regarding this tournament. They have an abundance of talent in their ranks and yet they only managed to win one game out of four. That was against a Paraguay side who lost every game they played in.
When they faced tests against Colombia and Uruguay they couldn’t pass them. Their last Copa América success in 2019 feels like it is a million miles away and a lack of World Cup glory since 2002 leaves this football-crazy nation more and more frustrated with every passing year.
Vinicius Junior of Brazil reacts to a call from supporters during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 … [+] match between Brazil and Colombia at Levi’s Stadium on July 2, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.
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U.S.A
The U.S.A are the main hosts of the 2026 World Cup and they want to be competitive at their home tournament. Defeat to Panama this time out spelled disaster and it shows that they are some way off their targets.
The U.S. seem to take one step forward and then two steps back in their football development. Famous results are followed by embarrassing ones and optimism is derailed by the disappointment that follows. They are now looking for a new boss to try and take their talented young squad to the next level and avoid embarrassment as the hosts of the next biggest tournament in global sports.
Mexico
Mexico are in a similar boat to their neighbours to the north. They have underperformed and left their fans distraught in the process. This time out they couldn’t defeat Venezuela or Ecuador and were sent home without passing through the group stage.
This Mexican side is lacking in quality and only managed one goal in their three Copa América group matches. They will open up the next FIFA World Cup in Mexico City when the Estadio Azteca hosts the very first game. Like with the U.S. big changes need to happen between now and then if they are to avoid being shown up at their own football fiesta.
Santiago Gimenez of Mexico reacts during the CONMEBOL Copa America group B match between Mexico and … [+] Ecuador at State Farm Stadium on June 30
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Source link : https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephosullivan/2024/07/16/the-copa-amrica-2024-winners-and-losers-revealed/
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Publish date : 2024-07-16 11:09:32
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