Canada Sport News

An Analysis of the Copa América Quarterfinalists: Power Rankings and Breakdown
  • Copa America 2024
    •

    An Analysis of the Copa América Quarterfinalists: Power Rankings and Breakdown

    Canada is running with the big boys at the Copa América. 

    Jesse Marsch’s side hasn’t looked one bit out of place in its first tournament appearance, surviving a tough group that included Lionel Messi’s Argentina to advance to the quarter-finals. 

    What will the knockout round of the competition bring now that the group stage is over? Sportsnet ranks the remaining eight teams at the Copa América.  

    1. URUGUAY 
    Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group C 
    Results: 3-1 win vs. Panama, 5-0 win vs. Bolivia, 1-0 win vs. United States 
    Next opponent: Brazil (July 6, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)  

    One of three teams to go a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage, Uruguay has scored a tournament-high nine goals while only conceding once. Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez has been sensational in attack (two goals), while the centre-back pairing of Ronald Araújo and Mathías Olivera has provided the team with a solid defensive foundation. La Celeste (The Sky Blue) have found their groove under Argentinian manager Marcelo Bielsa and nobody wants to play them, including quarter-final opponent Brazil. 

    Copa America 2024


    Canada is one of 16 teams competitng in the 2024 Copa America, the latest major step for a program on the rise. Check out all the scores and coverage right here on Sportsnet.ca.

    Complete Copa America coverage
    Standings and schedule

    2. ARGENTINA 
    Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group A 
    Results: 2-0 win vs. Canada, 1-0 win vs. Chile, 2-0 win vs. Peru 
    Next opponent: Ecuador (July 4, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)  

    The reigning World Cup champions cruised through the group stage without much fuss thanks to three clean-sheet wins. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez leads the tournament in scoring and has accounted for four of his country’s five goals, while Emiliano Martínez has been solid between the posts. The scary thing is that Lionel Messi hasn’t even really got going yet at the Copa. 

    3. COLOMBIA 
    Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group D 
    Results: 2-1 win vs. Paraguay, 3-0 win vs. Costa Rica, 1-1 draw vs. Brazil 
    Next opponent: Panama (July 6, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT)  

    Colombia’s lone Copa América title was won on home soil in 2001. Twenty-three years later, Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) look like a good bet to win a second one. Playing with fearlessness and aggression has served the Colombians very well, allowing them to win Group A ahead of Brazil. Wingback Daniel Muñoz (two goals) has been one of the best players at the Copa. 

    4. VENEZUELA 
    Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group B 
    Results: 2-1 win vs. Ecuador, 1-0 win vs. Mexico, 3-0 win vs. Jamaica 
    Next opponent: Canada (July 5, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)  

    A lot of critics were sleeping on the Venezuelans ahead of the Copa, predicting they’d finish third in its group. But they’ve been one of the best and most entertaining teams to watch at this tournament thus far. A balanced attack and solid back line saw Venezuela score six goals and post three wins (two clean sheets) to book its spot in the quarter-finals for only the fifth time in their history. 

    5. BRAZIL 
    Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group D 
    Results: 0-0 draw vs. Costa Rica, 4-1 win vs. Paraguay, 1-1 draw vs. Colombia 
    Next opponent: Uruguay (July 6, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)  

    Uninspiring. That’s probably the best way to describe Brazil’s run at the Copa so far. The Seleção’s win over lowly Paraguay wasn’t all that impressive considering they were the second-lowest ranked country ahead of this tournament. The Brazilians had to fight and scrap to earn a share of the points in draws against Concacaf’s Costa Rica and group winners Colombia. It’s been pretty laboured from the Brazilians, far from the exciting brand of soccer they’re renowned for playing. 

    6. CANADA 
    Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group A 
    Results: 2-0 loss vs. Argentina, 1-0 win vs. Peru, 0-0 draw vs. Chile 
    Next opponent: Venezuela (July 5, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)  

    Canada did what it had to do to advance to the quarter-finals in its Copa América debut, overcoming an opening loss to Argentina by grinding out results in its next two games to survive a tough group. But the team has only scored one goal and had the benefit of playing with the man advantage against both Peru and Chile. The loss of Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchana (broken tibia suffered in training) is also a big blow. We’re about to see what the Canadians are truly made of in the knockout stage.  

    7. PANAMA 
    Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group C 
    Results: 3-1 loss vs. Uruguay, 2-1 win vs. United States, 3-1 win vs. Bolivia 
    Next opponent: Colombia (July 6, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT)  

    Panama is through to the knockout round of the Copa in its second tournament appearance, and it has to be said it’s not a fluke. An impressive win over the United States in Atlanta was well earned and the team’s attack has been impressive with six goals. But five goals against suggests this team can easily be broken down, something Colombia should have an easy time doing in the quarterfinals. 

    8. ECUADOR 
    Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group B 
    Results: 2-1 loss vs. Venezuela, 3-1 win vs. Jamaica, 0-0 draw vs. Mexico 
    Next opponent: Argentina (July 4, 9 p.m. ET)  

    Ecuador has been scrappy at this competition, as evidenced by its stalemate against Mexico in its group stage finale to book its ticket for the quarter-finals. But it’s also been able to turn on the style, as Jamaica discovered to its peril. But things are going to get much tougher for the Ecuadorians when they face Argentina in the next round. 

    John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 20 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer. TFC Republic can be found here.    

    More from Sportsnet
    Copa America Takeaways: Who shined and declined in Matchday 3?


    Canada’s Tajon Buchanan to undergo surgery after breaking tibia in training

    The Copa América, South America’s premier international football tournament, has reached the quarterfinal stage, with eight teams remaining in the competition. As the tournament heats up, let’s take a closer look at the quarterfinalists and analyze their performances so far.

    1. Brazil
    The host nation and defending champions have been in scintillating form so far in the tournament. Led by the likes of Neymar and Casemiro, Brazil topped their group with three wins out of three and have looked like the team to beat. With a perfect record in the group stage, Brazil will be the favorites to lift the trophy once again.

    2. Argentina
    Lionel Messi’s Argentina have also been impressive in the tournament, finishing second in their group behind Brazil. Despite a slow start, Argentina picked up momentum in the latter stages of the group stage and will be looking to go all the way this time around. With Messi in top form, Argentina will be a tough team to beat.

    3. Uruguay
    Uruguay, winners of the Copa América a record 15 times, have also made it to the quarterfinals. Led by the lethal striking duo of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani, Uruguay finished second in their group behind Chile. With a solid defense and a potent attack, Uruguay will be a threat to any team they face in the knockout stages.

    4. Chile
    Chile, the two-time defending champions, have also made it to the quarterfinals after finishing top of their group. Despite a slow start to the tournament, Chile picked up wins against Bolivia and Paraguay to secure their spot in the knockout stages. With a talented squad that includes Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, Chile will be looking to make it three Copa América titles in a row.

    5. Colombia
    Colombia finished second in their group behind Brazil and have also made it to the quarterfinals. Led by James Rodríguez and Duván Zapata, Colombia have shown flashes of brilliance in the tournament and will be looking to go deep in the competition. With a solid defense and a dangerous attack, Colombia will be a team to watch in the knockout stages.

    6. Peru
    Peru finished third in their group but advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the best third-placed teams. Despite a slow start to the tournament, Peru picked up wins against Venezuela and Ecuador to secure their spot in the knockout stages. With veteran striker Paolo Guerrero leading the line, Peru will be looking to cause an upset in the quarterfinals.

    7. Paraguay
    Paraguay finished fourth in their group but advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the best fourth-placed teams. Despite a mixed bag of results in the group stage, Paraguay have shown glimpses of their potential and will be looking to surprise a few teams in the knockout stages. With a solid defense and a dangerous attack, Paraguay will be a team to watch in the quarterfinals.

    8. Ecuador
    Ecuador finished fourth in their group but advanced to the quarterfinals as one of the best fourth-placed teams. Despite a disappointing campaign so far, Ecuador have shown moments of quality and will be looking to turn things around in the knockout stages. With talented players like Enner Valencia and Moisés Caicedo, Ecuador will be hoping to cause an upset in the quarterfinals.

    As we head into the quarterfinals of the Copa América, it promises to be an exciting and unpredictable stage of the tournament. With powerhouse teams like Brazil and Argentina leading the way, and dark horses like Uruguay and Chile lurking in the shadows, anything can happen in South America’s premier football competition. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as we inch closer to crowning the champions of Copa América 2021.