2024 Copa America Round 3 BreakDown
Written By: Danny Albers
Group A
Canada VS Chile
Result: Draw 0-0 (Canada 1-1-1, 4 Points; Chile: 0-1-2, 2 Points)
Chile played the game with 10 men after Gabriel Suazo was given a second yellow card in the 27th minute. This was the story of Chile’s tournament. Poor refereeing was a topic of discussion from multiple games in this tournament, and Chile were one of the teams who felt like the referees were to blame for them not making it to the knockouts. In addition, Canada played a physical game, and in the 5th minute Canadian defender Moise Bombito elbowed Rodrigo Echevverria with no call. Canada pressed in the second minute of stoppage time with a goal from Tani Oluwaseyi but the call was called offside. Advancing to the knockout stages, Canada will attempt to beat a red hot Venezuelan team who won all 3 of their group stage games.
Argentina VS Peru
Result: Argentina wins 2-0 (Peru: 0-2-1, 1 Point; Argentina: 3-0-0, 9 Points)
No Messi, no problem as Inter Milan’s striker and Argentinian star Lautaro Martinez scored 2 goals in the game to get the 3rd win in the group stages for Argentina. Argentina beat Peru 3-0. After a scoreless 1st half, Martinez broke the scoring in the 47th minute. He’d score again in the 86th minute, signaling the end of the day and a victory for Argentina. The Argentinian defense did a good job in eliminating chances for Peru. Peru only had 1 shot on target in this game, and only controlled possession of the ball for 25% of the time.
Group B
Mexico VS Ecuador
Result: Draw 0-0 (Mexico: 1-1-1, 4 Points; Ecuador: 1-1-1; 4 Points)
Mexico outshot Ecuador 20-9 and controlled the majority of the possession of this game. They had 5 corners on Ecuador and yet, Mexico was not able to find the back of the net. This has to be a very frustrating end for Mexico as their lack of a true goal scorer and finisher on the offensive end keeps killing them. That should take away from Ecuador because I don’t think the Ecuadorian team played their best soccer either. Since they dropped their opener against Venezuela, they’ve looked like they’ve been trying to find their confidence. Hopefully escaping Mexico and getting to the knockouts can wake this team up.
Venezuela VS Jamaica
Result: Venezuela wins 3-0 (Venezuela: 3-0-0, 9 Points; Jamaica: 0-3-0, 0 Points)
Venezuela finished off strong in the group stage dominating Jamaica en route to a 3-0 lead. All three Venezuelan goals came in the second half. Venezuelan winger Eduard Bello opened the scoring in the 49th minute. That seemed to open the flood gates as Liga MX striker Salomón Rondón scored in the 56th minute. Venezuelan forward Eric Ramirez would close out the game in the 85th minute with a goal giving Venezuela a 3-0 lead. This is the third win of the tournament for Venezuela, and they will look to keep the magic going by beating Canada in the first round of the knockouts.
Group C
USA VS Uruguay
Result: Uruguay wins 1-0 (Uruguay: 3-0-0, 9 Points; USA (1-2-0, 3 Points)
USA played in a physical game with Uruguay needing to match Panama’s performance against Bolivia to advance to the knockouts. USA started strong as it was an extremely physical first half. But they continuously threatened Uruguay. But they would run out of gas in the second, not looking like the team that played earlier in the game. Uruguay’s Mathias Olivera finally broke through to score in the 66th minute to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead. USA would threaten to tie the game a couple times but it never amounted to anything. The US can blame bad calls by the referee, but this is not the team we were promised. It’s time for coach Gregg Berhalter to be fired.
Bolivia VS Panama
Result: Panama wins 3-1 (Bolivia: 0-3-0, 0 Points; Panama 2-1-0, 6 Points)
Panama came into their first game with the expectation of winning. They knew if they won this game they’d make it through to the knockout stages. Panama made a statement early on when José Fajardo scored in the 22nd minute to give Panama a 1-0 lead. Bolivia would fight back, when a goal from Bolivian strike Bruno Miranda tied the game. Bolivia did a better job in keeping the ball in Panama’s end, but momentum took over for the Panama side. Panama’s forward Eduardo Guerrero scored a goal to erupt his teammates and the Panama fans in attendance to give Panama a much needed 2-1 lead. With 1 minute into stoppage time, Panama’s César Yanis scored the dagger goal securing the win for Panama 3-1.
Group D
Brazil VS Colombia
Result: Draw 1-1 (Colombia: 2-0-1, 7 Points; Brazil: 1-0-2, 5 Points)
Brazil came out aggressive and jumped all over the red hot Colombia early. In the 12th minute, Barcelona winger Raphinha scored for Brazil to put them up 1-0. But the Colombian attack that has been so good this tournament continued to bring the pressure. They had 6 shots on target out of 13 attempts. In the 2nd minute of stoppage time during the first half, Colombia and Crystal palace’s right-back Daniel Muñoz netted Colombia’s only goal of the game. These teams were very evenly matched, and it doesn’t feel like this is going to be the last time they meet. Brazil now has a date with Uruguay which promises to be a legendary clash. Colombia will play Panama in the next round. Similar to every game in the tournament, Colombia should be the heavy favorites.
Costa Rica VS Paraguay
Result: Costa Rica wins 2-1 (Costa Rica: 1-1-1, 4 Points; Paraguay (0-3-0, 0 Points)
Costa Rica needed to win 6-0 to jump in front of Brazil in order to knock them out and grab the last spot in the knockouts. Weirder things have happened. Costa Rica jumped out to a crazy start when Francisco Calvo scored in the 3rd minute, and Josimar Alcócer scored in the 7th minute. Just 10 minutes in, and it looked like Costa Rica might put some pressure on Brazil. But Costa Rica’s offense would go quiet like it’s been for much of the tournament. In fact, Paraguay would outshoot Costa Rica 17-2 in this game, those 2 shots on target being their goals. Paraguay would score in the 55th minute from a goal from Romón Sosa to cut the lead in half and end the dream for Costa Rica.
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