The second round of this summer’s hottest tournament Copa America 2024 is now over and we have witnessed few different results in the second matchday of the competition. Tournament hosts USA were beaten 2-1 by Panama leaving the former’s hopes of qualifying to the knockout rounds hanging by a thread. Defending champions Argentina had a dream start to the campaign winning the opening two games of the tournament and booking their spot in the quarter-finals.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the key takeaways from Match Day 2 as well as Copa America 2024 predictions.
Group A: Title Holders Argentina cement quarter-final spot
Tournament favourties and defending champions Argentina were the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals in Copa America. A 2-0 win over Canada in the opening game of the tournament and a lucky 1-0 escape against Chile in their second game helped them book their spot in the quarter-finals.
Canada who are playing their first-ever Copa America tournament managed a 1-0 win over Peru in their last game and are second favourites. Both Peru and Chile have a point each.
Group B: Ecuador and Mexico battle for quarter-final spot
In Group B, Venezuela started the tournament on a high, beating in-form Ecuador 2-1 and Mexico 1-0 in their first two games of Copa America 2024. Venezuela has been in top form and have secured their spot in the quarter-finals. Ecuador who sustained a defeat in their first game overcame Jamaica in their last game to keep Copa America hopes alive.
Mexico secured a nervy 1-0 victory over Jamaica but lost their last game against Venezuela and are currently level on three points with Bolivia. Jamaica has been knocked out of the tournament.
Also Read: Copa America 2024 Golden Boot standings: List of top goalscorers after round 1
Group C: Uruguay aiming for record 16th Copa America trophy
15-time Copa America winners Uruguay are naturally the favorites to secure the top position in Group C due to their stellar form in recent matches. La Celeste secured a 5-0 win over Bolivia but are yet to confirm their spot in the quarter-finals. They have to either draw or win against USA in their final group tie to confirm their place in the knockout rounds.
Hosts USA are desperate to prove themselves on the international stage and has made a solid start to the Copa America campaign. But, Gregg Berhalte’s side sustained an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Panama and their Copa America campaign has taken a dramatic win. They must win their final fixture against group leaders Uruguay to move to the next round of the competition. Panama also cannot lose their final game against Bolivia to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Group D: Colombia secure top spot, Brazil searching for win
Group favorites Brazil were held to a goalless draw by Costa Rica due to their lack of quality in the final third but they secured a 4-1 win over Paraguay in their last game. Before the tournament, the nine-time Copa America champions bagged only one win from their last 8 international friendlies. They are now in second place with four points and a draw against Colombia would reserve their spot in the knockout rounds.
About Colombia, the South American squad who were being treated as dark horses after their two wins in the tournament have already secured a quarter-final spot with six points. Paraguay are eliminated after their loss to Brazil.
Predictions for Copa America Quarter Finals
The round 2 matches of the 2024 Copa America tournament delivered some incredible matchups and some nations have already qualified for the knockout rounds. It is too early for predictions but we can safely say that Argentina, Venezuela and Colombia have marked their spots in the knockout rounds.
From Group A, Argentina have automatically booked their place in the quarter-finals after securing six points from two games. New entrants, Canada need to only secure a draw against 2015 champions Chile to have their spot in the knockout rounds.
In Group B, Venezuela have already secured a spot in the last eight given their stellar form in the tournament this summer, bagging six points from their last two games. Then in Group C, 15-time winners Uruguay are expected to top the group with host nation USA looking to build on the success of the 2022 World Cup cycle by extending their run on home soil.
In Group D, Brazil who were the favorites to top the group are currently second with four points. The Selecao need to somehow manage a draw against Colombia to book their spot in the. Colombia who are currently sitting on top of Group D are expected to make a deep run into this summer tournament.
Also Read: Canada vs Chile Preview, Prediction, Lineups and Team News | Copa America 2024