Round 3 of the Copa America 2024 brought excitement and surprises reshaping the group standings as teams fought for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The most shocking outcome was the early exit of the tournament hosts the USA and former champions Chile who fell short against Uruguay and Canada respectively.
Group A: Argentina and Canada Move Forward
Argentina continued their dominant performance with a perfect record securing a 2-0 victory over Peru in their last group match. Led by Lautaro Martinez who has been in scintillating form with four goals in three games Argentina looks formidable.
Canada also advanced after a solid defensive display resulted in a goalless draw against Chile. But the two-time champions Chile were knocked out in the group stage for the first time since 2004 marking a significant upset.
Group B: Venezuela Surprises, Ecuador Advances
Venezuela emerged as the surprise package of the tournament topping Group B with three consecutive wins. Their latest triumphs included a narrow 1-0 victory over Mexico and a convincing 3-0 win against Jamaica.
Ecuador edged out Mexico for the second spot advancing due to a better goal difference. This group showcased Venezuela’s rise and Mexico’s unexpected struggles.
Group C: Uruguay Dominates, Panama Progresses
Uruguay lived up to their billing as tournament favourites with a strong finish in Group C. They secured a quarter-final spot with a 5-0 demolition of Bolivia and a 1-0 win over the USA.
Darwin Nunez has been pivotal for Uruguay scoring twice and showcasing his attacking prowess. Panama pulled off a surprise by defeating the USA 2-1 and then beating Bolivia 3-1 earning their place in the next round. Bolivia’s three losses saw them exit the tournament.
Also Read: Copa America 2024 Most Assists after Round 3
Group D: Colombia Leads, Brazil Follows
Colombia topped Group D after a contentious 1-1 draw with Brazil finishing with seven points. Brazil, despite some struggles, secured the second spot with five points.
Their performance included one win and two draws. In another dramatic match, Costa Rica beat Paraguay 2-1 but failed to progress, highlighting the competitive nature of this group.
Key Players and Performances
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez has been the standout player of the tournament so far stepping up in the absence of Lionel Messi. His four goals have been crucial for Argentina’s success. Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez also impressed with his dynamic performances contributing two goals in the group stage.
Other notable players include Venezuela’s standout performers who have guided their team to unexpected heights and Panama’s resilient squad which showed great determination to advance.
As the quarterfinals are set up, let’s have a look at who can win it and eventually reach the last 4 i.e. semifinals.
Copa America 2024: Quarterfinals Prediction
Argentina vs. Ecuador
Argentina remains the favourite to win their 16th Copa America title after a perfect group stage. La Albiceleste won all three of their games without conceding a single goal defeating Canada 2-0, Chile 1-0, and Peru 2-0.
Lautaro Martinez has been the standout player leading the Golden Boot race with four goals in three matches. Despite Lionel Messi not scoring yet his playmaking has been crucial.
Ecuador finished second in Group B with a record of one win, one draw, and one loss. They lost to Venezuela 2-1, beat Jamaica 3-1, and tied Mexico 0-0. Ecuador has never beaten Argentina in Copa America history, and it will be a tough challenge to change that this time around.
Prediction: Argentina 2, Ecuador 1.
Venezuela vs. Canada
This unexpected matchup sees Venezuela and Canada face off in the quarterfinals. Venezuela surprised everyone by winning all three of their group games, scoring six goals and conceding just one.
Their most impressive victory was a 3-0 win over Jamaica. Led by coach Fernando Batista and star player Salomon Rondon, Venezuela has been in excellent form.
Under coach Jesse Marsch Canada also exceeded expectations. They beat Peru, tied Chile, and gave Argentina a tough match. Canada’s progress to the quarterfinals is a significant achievement, especially after needing to win a play-in game against Trinidad & Tobago to qualify for the tournament.
Prediction: Venezuela 1, Canada 0.
Colombia vs. Panama
Colombia topped Group D and is considered a dark horse for the title. They are on a 25-game unbeaten streak and won two of their group matches while drawing one. Key players like James Rodriguez, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, and Richard Rios make their attack formidable.
Panama, playing in their second Copa America, managed to advance by outlasting the USA. They have shown significant improvement, reaching the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, facing a strong Colombia team will be a daunting task.
Prediction: Colombia 3, Panama 1.
Uruguay vs. Brazil
This is the standout match of the quarterfinals, featuring two tournament favourites. Uruguay won all three of their group games, outscoring opponents 9-1. With stars like Darwin Nunez, Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde, and Ronald Araujo, they have one of the strongest squads.
Traditionally strong in Copa America Brazil has struggled with scoring. They drew against Costa Rica and Colombia and only had an easy win against Paraguay.
Despite a roster full of talent, including Raphinha, Militao, Alisson, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli, Marquinhos, and 17-year-old Endrick, Brazil has not been convincing so far.
Prediction: Uruguay 2, Brazil 1.
Also Read: Golden Boot Standings Copa America 2024: List of Top Goal Scorers After Round 3