Sports

Copa America preview: Eight things to look out for

Published

2 weeks ago

19/06/2024

– The Copa America will kick off on Thursday when defending champions Argentina meet Canada at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

This year’s tournament, to be played in 14 cities across the United States, will feature the 10 South American nations, plus six from the Confederation of North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF).

Here are eight things to look out for in the 48th edition of the world’s oldest continental football competition.

1. Can Argentina be champions again?

How times have changed for Argentina. Three years ago, the country’s press and fans were openly wondering if the Albiceleste would ever win another major trophy as their title drought approached three decades. That changed when Lionel Scaloni’s men beat Brazil in the final of the 2021 Copa America at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.

Less than 18 months later, they went one better by lifting the World Cup trophy for the first time since 1986 with a penalty shootout victory over France in Qatar.

But can the South American giants make it three major trophies in a row?

Recent results would suggest so. The Albiceleste have been in ominous form of late, having scored three goals or more in three of their past four matches, including a 4-1 rout of Guatemala in their final Copa America warmup fixture last Friday (June 14).

Another triumph in the United States would make Scaloni’s side the first team to successfully defend the Copa America while simultaneously holding the World Cup trophy.

2. Is this really the United States’ Golden Generation?

Manager Gregg Berhalter has what is arguably the strongest playing list ever assembled by the United States for a major football tournament.

Eighteen of the 26 players named in Berhalter’s squad ply their trade in one of Europe’s top leagues (England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands).

The midfield looks particularly dangerous, marshaled by Juventus star Weston McKennie, AC Milan’s Yunus Musah and Nottingham Forest playmaker Giovanni Reyna.

The attack will be led by Christian Pulisic, who says he is in career-best form after a superb season at AC Milan.

3. Brazil’s new Golden Boy

Endrick this month became the youngest player since Pele to score in three consecutive matches for Brazil. But the 17-year-old is no certainty to start for the Selecao at the Copa America.

Head coach Dorival Junior has promised not to ask too much of Endrick during the Copa America as the attacker vies for a place in the starting lineup alongside Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Savinho and Gabriel Martinelli.

“I have always been in favor of giving chances to young players but I just ask for a little patience with the boy so that things can happen naturally,” Dorival told reporters earlier this month.

4: Uruguay: The Bielsa effect

Upon his appointment as Uruguay’s manager in May last year, Marcelo Bielsa said his role would involve daring the Celeste’s players to dream. The team’s impressive sequence of results under the Argentine would suggest he is succeeding.

The Celeste have won seven, drawn three and lost two matches under Bielsa’s stewardship, a run that has included World Cup qualifying victories over Brazil and Argentina.

Bielsa’s 26-man Copa America list includes a balanced mix of youth and experience while boasting an array of world-class talent such as Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez and Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez.

Veteran marksman Luis Suarez will likely be an option off the bench, despite his prolific recent scoring form for Inter Miami. Suarez’s long-time national team strike partner Edinson Cavani is not a part of the Celeste squad after announcing his retirement from international football in May.

5. Colombia’s formidable form

Colombia will deservedly enter the Copa America as one of the tournament favorites. The Cafeteros are unbeaten in 20 matches since Argentine Nestor Lorenzo replaced Reinaldo Rueda as manager in June 2022.

The sequence has included victories over Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico and the United States over the past year.

Colombia’s strength is a stable defense – led by the center-back pairing of Jhon Lucumi and Carlos Cuesta – and an attack spearheaded by Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.

Perhaps one weak spot is the middle of the park. James Rodriguez and Jhon Arias are the central pieces of a midfield that could lack depth, particularly if injuries strike.

6. Gareca’s Copa America record

Chile boss Ricardo Gareca, has a Midas touch in the Copa America, having guided Peru to second and third places in the previous two editions.

The 66-year-old Argentine, who was appointed Chile manager in January, has shown that he is not afraid to make tough decisions as he oversees a generational overhaul of La Roja’s squad.

Among those missing from Chile’s current playing group are Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel, integral members of the side that won back-to-back Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016.

One veteran who has remained in Gareca’s plans is Eduardo Vargas, who was the Copa America’s leading scorer in both 2015 and 2016, with four and six goals, respectively.

The 34-year-old Atletico Mineiro forward has 14 Copa America goals, three shy of the record that is jointly held by Argentine midfielder Norberto Mendez and Brazil playmaker Zizinho.

7. The last dance?

While Lionel Messi has not yet entertained the idea of retirement – at least publicly – this will almost certainly be his last Copa America.

Argentina’s talismanic captain will turn 37 during the tournament’s group stage and he will be 41 when the next edition comes around.

One player who has already made a decision about his future is Messi’s long-time national teammate and close friend, Angel Di Maria.

The 36-year-old has confirmed that he will end his 16-year international career after the Copa America.

The Benfica winger has been capped 140 times for his country and, with one World Cup trophy and a Copa America triumph to his name, he is already guaranteed legend status for the Albiceleste. Who would deny him one last shot at glory?

8. Venezuela’s high hopes

Venezuela have never progressed beyond the quarterfinals of the continental tournament, having reached the last eight in 2011 and 2016.

But the Vinotinto have good reason to believe this could be their best ever Copa America campaign.

Since Fernando Batista replaced Jose Pekerman as head coach in March 2023, Venezuela have played 12 matches, winning five, drawing five and losing just two.

The encouraging run of results has included victories over Chile and Paraguay and a draw against Brazil in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

Euro 2024: Germany sees off Denmark to reach quarterfinals

Published

13 hours ago

30/06/2024

BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) — For the first time in eight years Germany booked the quarterfinals in the Euro 2024 after goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala secured the host a 2-0 win over Denmark in last 16 at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

Germany took the reins from the starting whistle and thought they had opened the scoring with just four minutes played but Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener was ruled out due to a foregone foul play.

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had his hands full of work, denying the dangerous efforts from Joshua Kimmich and Havertz as Germany pressed for the opener.

The flow of the game got disrupted as the match was suspended due to severe weather at the half hour mark.

After the restart, Germany should have opened the scoring, but Havertz couldn’t beat Schmeichel by header while Schlotterbeck headed into the side netting.

Denmark showed signs of life in the closing period of the first half but Rasmus Hojlund couldn’t overcome Germany custodian Manuel Neuer after a counterattack.

After the half time, Denmark’s Joachim Andersen got a goal disallowed due to an offside position by Thomas Delaney.

Andersen remained in the thick of things as his handball inside the box handed Germany a penalty. Havertz stepped up and converted the penalty to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

Havertz had the chance to make it two moments later, but the Arsenal striker couldn’t beat Schmeichel following a one-on-one.

Denmark opened up and pushed forward but for all that Neuer was equal to Hojlund’s effort on target in the 66th minute.

Schmeichel was hapless two minutes later as Schlotterbeck set up Musiala, who scored with a well-placed curl into the top right corner to put the win beyond doubt.

Denmark never recovered from the second blow whereas Germany remained wasteful with their finish in the closing stages.

“We started well and scored early on. It was a hectic clash due to the suspension, but we showed resilience. We should have scored more goals though,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The Germans will face either Spain or Georgia in the quarterfinals on July 5.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

Euro 2024: Switzerland stuns Italy to advance into quarterfinals

Published

13 hours ago

30/06/2024

BERLIN, June 29 (Xinhua) — Ruben Vargas’ assist and goal paved the way for Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over titleholder Italy in the Euro 2024 last 16 at Berlin Olympia stadium on Saturday.

Switzerland controlled possession and pressed Italy onto the back foot but still Murat Yakin’s team had to wait until the 24th minute before Breel Embolo’s effort forced goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into action.

The Nati eventually broke the deadlock with 37 minutes played when Vargas’ cutback pass found Remo Feulner, who made no mistake and tapped home past Donnarumma.

Donnarumma remained busy as he had to palm Fabian Rieder’s dangerous free kick around the woodwork just before the half time.

Switzerland continued on the front foot and doubled its advantage within seconds of the restart as Vargas finished the job into the top right corner following a counterattack.

Harmless Italy almost halved the deficit against the run of the flow after Switzerland defender Fabian Schar cleared the ball to the right post.

In the closing stage, Italy threw every man up front and came close in the 74th minute when Gianluca Scamacca rattled the woodwork.

However, Switzerland’s victory was never in danger as Italy couldn’t overcome goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

“We were also lucky. The almost own goal was a shock moment, but the team were great, and we were able to defend the result to the end. I hope this is not the end of the road for us and we can keep making history,” said Switzerland coach Yakin.

“It hurts to go out like this, we apologise to everyone. They deserved it. We struggled the whole match. In the first half, we lost too many balls. It was tough, a very tough match to digest. In the first half we did badly because they always had the ball. We wanted to start better in the second half, but we conceded a goal straight away instead,” said Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma.

Yakin’s boys will face either England or Slovakia in the quarterfinals on July 6.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

Brazil trounce Paraguay to eye Copa America last eight

Published

1 day ago

29/06/2024

LAS VEGAS, June 29 (Xinhua) — Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil all but secured a spot into the Copa America quarterfinals on Friday with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius netted either side of a Savinho strike before Omar Alderete reduced the deficit with a long-range effort.

Lucas Paqueta made up for an earlier penalty miss by converting from the spot just after the hour as Brazil clinched its first win of the tournament.

The result leaves the five-time World Cup winner second in Group D with four points, two points behind Colombia and three ahead of third-placed Costa Rica. The Selecao also has a plus-three goal difference – six ahead of Costa Rica – with one group-stage match remaining.

Paraguay is already guaranteed of elimination, having lost each of its first two matches.

Paqueta squandered the chance to put his side ahead just after the half-hour at Allegiant Stadium when he sent his penalty attempt wide following an Andres Cubas hand ball.

But he went some way to making amends moments later as his delightful through ball found Vinicius, who dashed away from his marker and slotted a shot below goalkeeper Rodrigo Morinigo.

Girona forward Savinho extended the lead by tapping in from close range after Rodrygo’s shot was parried clear by Morinigo.

Brazil’s confidence grew by the minute and it extended its lead on the stroke of halftime through Vinicius, who stabbed home a first-time effort after Alderete’s errant clearance.

Paraguay emerged from the interval with a renewed sense of purpose and Alderete atoned for his earlier error by controlling a high ball with his chest and thumping an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the bottom-right corner.

But Brazil continued to attack and it was awarded another penalty when Mathias Villasanti was deemed to have blocked Savinho’s attempt on goal with his left arm.

Paqueta again stepped up for the spot-kick and this time the West Ham midfielder calmly chipped his shot into the bottom right corner.

Paraguay was reduced to 10 men nine minutes from time after Cubas’ studs up challenge on Douglas Luiz earned the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder a straight red card.

Brazil controlled the match thereafter as it put its campaign back on track following a goalless draw with Costa Rica last Monday.

Earlier, Colombia booked a place in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica, a result that extended the Cafeteros’ winning sequence to 10 games.

Source(s): Xinhua