2024 Copa America Round 2 BreakDown

 Written by: Danny Albers 

The US Men’s National Team and Mexico brought the same disappointment in the 2nd round of the group stages. Brazil found their form as Colombia continued to dominate, setting up a matchup of true powerhouses. Lionel Messi was injured in a physical game with Chile, causing Argentina to have concern despite 2 straight victories in group A. Let’s take a look at each game from the 2nd round of the group stage. 

Group A

1. Peru VS Canada

Result: Canada wins 1-0 (Canada: 1-1-0, 3 Points; Peru: 0-1-1, 1 Point) 

One might have to ask if Canada would have been able to pull away if Miguel Araujo doesn’t get a red card in the 59th minute of this game, causing Peru to play down a man for most of the second half. Before that, it looked like Peru was going to win this game. They out shot Canada in this game, only allowing 2 shots on target, and Canada only had 1 corner. But Canada picked up the offensive production late in the game allowing Jonathan David to get a breakaway open look at the net which he converted into a goal. Canada cracked through, and now control their own fate against Chile. Some might think Chile is the better team, you can certainly draw that conclusion from the way they played Argentina compared to Canada, but Chile has to win to advance. A draw pushes the Canadians through to the knockouts. Despite Peru shooting themselves in the foot, this is a great and inspiring win for Canada who’ve felt they've been building something with this new crop of national players. 

2. Chile VS Argentina

Result: Argentina wins 1-0 (Argentina: 2-0-0, 6 Points; Chile: 0-1-1, 1 Point) 

As expected, Argentina has won group A in Copa America. The way this team dominated the pace and direction of this game was impressive. The score was 1-0, but it easily could have been 5-0. It felt like Chile was playing in their end the entire game, and it was a matter of time before Argentina scored. It came in the 88th minute on a goal from Lautaro Martinez. Argentina outshot Chile 22-3. They had 11 corners to Chile’s 0. That type of pressure will break anybody and I’m surprised Chile held on until the 88th minute. 

Group B

1. Ecuador VS Jamaica 

Result: Ecuador wins 3-1 (Ecuador: 1-1-0, 3 Points; Jamaica: 0-2-0, 0 Points) 

Ecuador returned to form in the second game after losing to Venezuela when they were a man down. Piero Hincapié kicked things off with an electric goal in the 13th minute. At the end of the first half, 4 minutes into stoppage time, Jamaica would commit a crucial penalty, allowing Kendry Páez to score a PK. Jamaica played much better in the second half. In the 54th minute, Michail Antonio scored for Jamaica to breathe life back into the team. Ecuador’s defense did a good job to recover, and bend not breaking. Although Jamaica had more time with possession of the ball, Ecuador out shot Jamaica 24-7. Alan Minda would score 1 minute into stoppage time in the game to seal the win for Ecuador 3-1. 

2. Mexico VS Venezuela

Result: Venezuela wins 1-0 (Venezuela: 2-0-0, 6 Points; Mexico: 1-1-0, 3 Points) 

This is becoming a pattern that Mexico wants to correct quickly. Mexico had a lot more chances to win this game than Venezuela, and yet it was the Venezuelan side that won the game. Mexico dominated the possession, and they outshot Venezuela 18-10. Five of those shots were on target threatening the Venezuelan squad. But Mexico continued to struggle finishing on scoring chances. And when you are struggling to score, it doesn’t take much for disaster to strike. In the 57th minute, Mexico committed a crucial penalty. This setup Salomón Rondón to score on a PK. Mexico would have a shot to tie the game in the 86th minute when they were awarded their own PK, but Orbelin Pineda missed when his shot was deflected by the Venezuelan goalie Rafael Romo. This locked up a win for Venezuela.  

Group C 

1. USA VS Panama 

Result: Panama wins 2-1 (USA: 1-1-0, 3 Points; Panama 1-1-0, 3 Points) 

Another major disappointment by the US Men’s National Team. Timothy Weah got a red card in the 18th minute, putting the American’s down a man in this game. But Folarin Balogun scored another early goal in the 22nd minute for the US to give them 1-0 lead. But Panama didn’t give the US anytime to celebrate. A US defensive collapse led to Panama Right-Back Cesar Blackman to score in the 29th minute. The USA Men’s Team played like a team defeated for much of this game. It felt like Panama was playing keep away at times. In the 83rd minute, the inevitable happened as Jose Fajardo broke through for Panama putting them ahead of the Americans 2-1. The game got chippy from there as Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla got a red card in the 88th minute. But the damage was done, and Panama won the game. I’d like to sit here and write that Panama stole this game, but they were the better team. Now the US must do the impossible and beat Uruguay. 

2. Bolivia VS Uruguay 

Result: Uruguay wins 5-0 (Uruguay: 2-0-0, 6 Points; Bolivia: 0-2-0, 0 Points) 

Uruguay looked like they were warming up against Bolivia. Bolivia wasn’t able to mount any type of offense, and Uruguay didn’t need any time to open the scoring. Facundo Pellistri scored in the 8th minute to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead. Uruguay weren’t done there in the first half. Darwin Nuńez scored in the 21st minute to ignite the Uruguayan crowd. Things looked impossible for Bolivia as Uruguay just turned up the heat after already dominating the match. Late into the second half, Uruguay took over once again. In a span of 12 minutes, Uruguay scored 3 goals. As was expected, Uruguay won the game by a final score of 5-0. They got goals from 5 different players in this game. 

Group D 

1. Colombia VS Costa Rica 

Result: Colombia wins 3-0 (Colombia: 2-0-0, 6 Points; Costa Rica: 0-1-1, 1 Point) 

Colombia has looked unstoppable enroute to their 10th straight victory. Colombia’s defense locked up Costa Rica, having 0 shots on target in this game. The Colombian’s were balanced and dominated this game. Colombia broke through on a penalty kick in the 31st minute by Luis Diaz. The Colombian’s offense eventually cracked the Costa Rican back line. Davinson Sánchez scored in the 59th minute, just 3 minutes later Jhon Córdoba scored in the 62nd minute. Colombia looks unbeatable ahead of their epic clash with Brazil. 

2. Brazil VS Paraguay

Result: Brazil wins 4-1 (Paraguay: 0-2-0, 0 Points; Brazil: 1-0-1, 4 Points) 

When Brazil needed it most, their biggest star stepped up. Brazil still came out a little slower against Paraguay. The Brazilian fans were waiting to explode out of their seats after the 0-0 tie with Costa Rica. In the 35th minute, Vinicius Junior gave them what they were waiting for. Vinicius scored to give Brazil a 1-0 lead. He wouldn’t be done in a Brazilian dominated first half. Brazil’s 20-year old winger Sávio would add to the Brazilian lead in the 43rd minute. Brazil wasn’t done with the first half onslaught. Five minutes into stoppage time, Vinicius would score his 2nd goal of the game. Paraguay didn’t go away. Omar Alderete scored right away to start the 2nd half for Paraguay to chip at the Brazilian lead making it 3-1. But the Brazilian defense did their job. Paraguay committed a penalty in the 65th minute, setting Brazil up with a penalty kick. Lucas Paquetá finished off the PK to close out a 4–1 Brazilian win. This was much more like the Brazil team we expected to see, quickly erasing the shockingly quiet and uneventful first game. Brazil will now take a shot at ending the 10-game winning streak of Colombia.