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: Portugal overpower Slovenia on penalties to book quarterfinal place

Published

10 hours ago

02/07/2024

BERLIN, July 1 (Xinhua) — Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa denied three penalties in the shootout to eliminate a stubborn Slovenia 3-0 in their Euro 2024 last 16 match at Frankfurt’s Deutsche-Bank-Park on Monday.

Portugal dominated possession from the kickoff, pressing Slovenia onto the back foot in the opening stages.

However, Robert Martinez’s men struggled to convert their dominance into goals, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes both missing close-range opportunities.

Slovenia defended resolutely, keeping all their players behind the ball. Ronaldo had a chance from a promising free-kick position at the half-hour mark but sent it over the target.

In the closing stages of the first half, Slovenia could have caught Portugal flatfooted, but Petar Stojanovic opted for a square pass instead of taking a shot on goal.

Portugal continued to be the more active team after the restart, while Slovenia remained largely passive.

Slovenia’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, frustrated Ronaldo by neutralizing a free kick in the 55th minute and a dangerous long-range shot in the closing period.

In extra time, Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock when Diogo was fouled inside the box. However, he couldn’t beat Oblak from the penalty spot in the 105th minute.

Slovenia showed signs of life in the 115th minute but missed a crucial chance when Benjamin Sesko failed to beat Diogo Costa in a one-on-one situation.

After a goalless draw, the match went to a penalty shootout. Ronaldo finally beat Oblak from the spot to open the scoring.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa then single-handedly helped Portugal progress by denying penalties from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbic. Bernardo Silva sealed the victory with his successful penalty.

With this result, Portugal will face France in the quarterfinals at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.

“I was sad and then happy. It went back and forth, but that’s football. It is all or nothing. I tried to clinch the win for my team, but I failed to do so. I was unhappy, nonetheless, Oblak saved well today. We had to work hard, but we are through now. I think it is a deserved win as Slovenia defended only,” said Ronaldo.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

Euro 2024: Spain eases past Georgia to book quarterfinal berth

Published

1 day ago

01/07/2024

BERLIN, June 30 (Xinhua) — Spain recovered from one goal down to overpower stubborn Georgia 4-1 in Euro 2024 round of 16 at Cologne’s sold-out Rhein-Energie Stadium on Sunday.

Spain started on the front foot and created several chances in the opening stage, but Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was equal to the efforts from Daniel Carvajal and Pedri, while Nico Williams pulled wide from the edge of the box.

The opener was scored at the end of the pitch though and with great assistance of Spain defender Robin Le Normand, who cleared Otar Kakabadze’s cross into the wrong goal giving Georgia the 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.

Spain responded with furious attacks and had to wait as Fabian Ruiz, Pedri and Marc Cucurella couldn’t beat Mamardashvili, who had his hands full of work.

Luis de la Fuente’s men got eventually rewarded for their power play just before the half time as Williams teed up for Rodri, whose left-footed shot into the bottom right corner left Mamardashvili chanceless in the 39th minute.

Georgia remained dangerous after the break as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tried to catch Spain custodian Unai Simon flat-footed with a shot from the distance.

Spain went in search of the lead and made it 2-1 with 51 minutes gone as Lamine Yamal’s pinpoint cross found Ruiz, who nodded home from close range.

Georgia went all in and got caught off-guard following a counterattack as Fabian’s long ball allowed Williams to finish the job with a solo run and hammer into the roof of the net in the 75th minute.

The relentless Spaniards weren’t done with the scoring and made it four in the closing stage after Dani Olmo’s low strike beat Mamardashvili into the bottom left corner.

With the victory, three-time Euro champion Spain clashes with tournament host Germany in Stuttgart’s MHP Arena on Friday.

“It was as expected, a tough match for us. We knew that, but we made our own life difficult in the first half. We were also nervous after we conceded the goal but responded well with the equalizer before halftime. We must show our best football against tournament hosts Germany now,” said Spain’s player of the match Rodri.

Source(s): Xinhua

Sports

Euro 2024: England secures dramatic comeback win over Slovakia to clinch quarterfinal berth

Published

1 day ago

01/07/2024

BERLIN, June 30 (Xinhua) — Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time equalizer forced Slovakia into overtime and allowed Harry Kane to head the 2-1 decider in Euro 2024 last 16 at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke on Sunday.

Offensively-minded Slovakia surprised England with a powerful opening period and came close twice but neither David Hancko nor Lukas Haraslin was able to break the deadlock despite promising chances.

Slovakia’s efforts eventually paid off as David Strelec’s good build-up work and assist helped Ivan Schranz to break the deadlock with 25 minutes into the game. It was Schranz’s third goal of the tournament.

The Three Lions tried to increase the pressure but failed to turn their 77 percent of possession into a tangible reward in the first half.

Things changed after the restart as Gareth Southgate’s men thought they had leveled the scores with just five minutes into the second half. However, Phil Foden’s goal was ruled offside.

England was lucky that Slovakia didn’t double its lead as Strelec’s long-range shot missed the empty net just wide moments later.

As the match progressed, England lacked in ideas to overcome Slovakia’s compact defence albeit Declan Rice rattled the woodwork from a distance in the 81st minute.

Francesco Calzona’s boys tried to protect their narrow lead to the end but got punished late in the dying seconds as Bellingham drilled the stoppage time equalizer with an overhead kick into the top right corner to stun resilient Slovakia.

Things went from bad to worse for Slovakia as the Three Lions completed their comeback with the kick-off of the overtime, as Kane headed home his 65th goal for England to seal the quarterfinal encounter against Switzerland.

“It is a massive moment, but it’s a long tournament and we will only know it if we go on to win the cup. We will decide in the next two weeks how important it is,” said Bellingham.

“I feel proud, we played a great game against a world-class team and one of the favorites. We allowed England very little, we almost advanced. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it,” said Slovakia coach Calzona.

England will now face Switzerland in the quarterfinal in Dusseldorf on July 6.

Source(s): Xinhua