Copa America Highlights
Group stages
Argentina vs. Canada 2-0Canada did well keeping the defence tight in the middle and Argentina had difficulty penetrating so they had to resort to the wings. Systematically, Canada was good but their individual attacking skill was lacking and they made some unnecessary mistakes that costed them their defeat.
Peru vs. Chile 0-0
It was frantic on both sides... with not much to show for it.
Ecuador vs. Venezuela 1-2
Venezuela had persistance aided by a bit of luck.
Mexico vs. Jamaica 1-0
In the beginning, Jamaica surprisingly controlled the game more than Mexico but the finish was lackluster. The last few minutes of the first half was controlled by Mexico. In the second half, Mexico took more control and finally scored from a long range shot just outside the box. Mexico had some fortune.
USA vs. Bolivia 2-0
The US dominated the match.
Uruguay vs. Panama 3-1
Uruguay's scoring condition was good.
Colombia vs. Paraguay 2-1
Colombia outclassed Paraguay but the former wasn't without defensive faults.
Brazil vs. Costa Rica 0-0
Brazil dominated in possession and had fluidity in their attack movement but the finish wasn't there. There was one goal made from a set play out of a free kick but was called offside after video review. Brazil seemed frustrated with the referee not calling some fouls in their favour. Costa Rica defended for dear life. Brazil failed to capitalize on any of their chances.
Peru vs. Canada 0-1
Canadian players' touch was lackluster but they nevertheless carried the ball forward and tried to make chances. Peru committed a harsh attack and was penalized with a red card. Peru's defence line at the back was open, not because of the red card but the overconfident attack line was pulled up front, so Canada took advantage and easily scored. Peru had too many open spaces and Canada was able to capitalize on that. There were some clear chances for Canada but their individual skills were lacking so the finish wasn't there. Peru tried to equalize but the shots on target were well blocked by the Canadian keeper.
Chile vs. Argentina 0-1
Argentina looked arrogant and non-chalant so their focus and touch lacked. When Argentina made mistakes, Chile took advantage. Chile, on the other hand, was frantic and lost chances. Ball possession was mostly on Argentina's side but the finish wasn't there. The closest chance was from Messi but his long range shot hit the post. Late in the second half, Argentina finally scored as they kept knocking on the door.
Ecuador vs. Jamaica 3-1
For the first goal, Ecuador's cross towards goal actually went into the net by luck. More fortune followed as Ecuador scored their second from a penalty kick. Jamaica got one goal in the thick of things inside the box. After 90 minutes, Jamaica's back line was open and Ecuador capitalized for one more goal.
Venezuela vs. Mexico 1-0
Mexico dominated in possession, but Venezuela also looked dangerous on counters on a few occasions. Mexico was able to move forward well but they took too long to cross so they had trouble finding connections. In the second half, Venezuela was rewarded a penalty kick due to a foul in the box and they got their goal. Mexico also had a chance from a penalty kick but the keeper blocked it. Mexico missed a lot of good chances.
Panama vs. USA 2-1
In the first half, each team garnered a goal as the shots were long range just outside the box and mixed with skill and luck. Near the end of second half, both teams were frantic to score. Panama tried to make quick pass plays while the US was very fast paced and direct in counter attack. USA had good chances but missed. Panama's persistence eventually prevailed and scored another.
Uruguay vs. Bolivia 5-0
The story was Uruguay's fast paced attack and great penetrating passes that brought them victory.
Colombia vs. Costa Rica 3-0
Colombia outclassed Costa Rica and they were fast in attack.
Paraguay vs. Brazil 1-4
Brazil dominated in possession from the beginning. There was a penalty kick chance but the Brazilian missed it. However, soon after, a good penetrating move led to a goal. Two more goals followed from giveaways from Paraguay's defence blunders. It was already 3-0 by the end of first half. Other than the consolation goal for Paraguay, the result of Brazil being the victor was inevitable.
Canada vs. Chile 0-0
Canada looked more organized and threatening in attack. Chile got a red card early on and that made ball possession more prominent on Canada's side. Ball possession continued to be dominated by Canada but the finish was lacking while Chile looked threatening in counter but also couldn't score either. The fight for a goal was gritty to the end. Peru needed to win and Canada only needed a tie so the former was more rushed to score. In the end, nobody scored and Chile was ousted while Canada made it to the next round for the first time in a while.
Argentina vs. Peru 2-0
Argentina dominated as expected but had trouble penetrating the Peru defence, so the first half ended scoreless. From the beginning of the second half, Argentina penetrated well and Martinez (substituted in the second half) scored. Peru seldom showed some threatening movement but to no avail. Near the end, Argentina again made a good long pass for Martinez to score.
Jamaica vs. Venezuela 0-3
Jamaica interestingly was more dominant in possession but didn't have the proper finish. Venezuela looked more threatening in attack. As soon as second half started, Venezuela charged forward and scored. Jamaica tried to regain composure by dominating possession. However, Venezuela's direct attack and Jamaica's keeper losing the ball allowed for another goal for the former. Venezuela kept knocking on the door with vigor. To add insult to injury, a nice penetrating pass to the front striker put him on a one-on-one situation and Venezuela added another goal.
Mexico vs. Ecuador 0-0
Ecuador dominated in possession but their touch was unnerving at times and risked opening up their defence. Mexico dominated more possession midway on in the first half. Second half started frantically. Both teams were in a rush to get their first goal. Mexico also possessed the ball more. Tired Ecuadorians fell to the ground due to cramps; one even went out on a stretcher. Offensive Mexico kept Ecuador's defence busy. With about 10 minutes left, Ecuador became more dominant in possession. In the end, there were no goals and Mexico was ousted.
Bolivia vs. Panama 1-3
Panama dominated.
USA vs. Uruguay 0-1
USA's offence was dynamic and dominant, and the match was exciting. What ruined it was the inexperienced referee not calling fouls against Uruguay and making several miscalls like letting a quick start to a free kick when players were down. Uruguay's goal should've been nullified due to offside but bad refereeing ruined it for the US again. The referee was the major reason for USA's defeat.
Costa Rica vs. Paraguay 2-1
Costa Rica's attacking form was good. They scored two goals in succession in 3 minute intervals early on. After that, the ball was mostly with Paraguay. Paraguay went forward with force but their finish was sabotaged by Costa Rica's defence. Costa Rica's keeper did well to compensate for their shaky defence.
Brazil vs. Colombia 1-1
Brazil got their first goal from an amazing free kick that headed straight to the back of the net. At the end of first half, Colombia equalized with a surprise penetration. After that, Colombia looked more threatening in attack. Both teams had chances but the scores remained the same.
Quarter-final (Round of 8)
Argentina vs. Ecuador 1-1 (PSO 4-2)Argentina was clearly the better team but should've scored more to live up to their performance. Ecuador's touch was lackluster and allowed for interceptions. In the second half, Ecuador had a penalty kick chance due to the referee's controversial calling of handball that was actually just arms crossed and going inward to protect one's body. However, the Ecuadorian missed, further proving the point that their touch was poor. In the second half, Ecuador kept knocking on the door and they were in luck when a supposed long range cross turned into a goal. As the scores were tied, they went into penalties and the hero of the day was the Argentinian keeper. Messi was the first kicker for Argentina and he actually hit the post and missed. Meanwhile, Argentina's goalie blocked two in a row and the rest of the kickers scored so they were the victors.
Venezuela vs. Canada 1-1 (PSO 3-4)
Canadians lacked in individual skill but intercepted well and were well organized. After Canada scoring first, they were busy defending against the Venezuela side that was frantic to equalize. Canada tried to counter attack but to no avail; they even had one open chance where it was one-on-one between striker and goalie and the shot was way off the net. In second half, Venezuela's persistence paid off as they equalized. They went all the way to penalty shootout. Second kickers from both teams missed. Fourth kickers didn't score either. In sudden death, the sixth Venezuela kicker got blocked while Canada succeeded. Thus, Canada made it to the next round.
Colombia vs. Panama 5-0
Colombia's attack form was good and Panama's wasn't.
Uruguay vs. Brazil 0-0 (PSO 4-2)
It was a messy and frantic match. Both sides had chances but to no avail. Much was at stake because Copa America didn't have extra time so if they tie then it would be penalties. Full time was up and no team scored so it was on to PSO. The first three kickers for Uruguay scored and they seemed confident as a result but the fourth kicker's shot got blocked. Brazil, on the other hand, started with a miss and that put more pressure on them. Brazil's third kicker missed as well. Uruguay won as the fifth kicker scored.
Semi-final
Argentina vs. CanadaAs expected, Canada focused on defence but they also looked threatening on counters. Argentina had difficulty breaking through the Canadian defence as they pressured well in midfield at first but all it took was one killer pass to the centre front. Thus, Argentina got their first goal half way through first half. After that, Argentina's forward movement seemed to have more vigor. Canada's organization was decent but the touch was lackluster. The wet turf didn't help things either. In the second half, Argentina scored again early on when Messi found an opportunity in the box. Canada had some chances but they were too hesitant to shoot.
Uruguay vs. Colombia 0-1
Both teams attacked with fierceness. However, Uruguay's shooting looked more dangerous as Núñez nearly scored. Colombia found their solution through a set play starting with a corner kick where they first scored when it was about 5 minutes left of first half. Uruguay tried to equalize in the second half but they were too frantic and the finish was poor. Colombia had two clear chances in a one on one goalie to striker situation but failed to convert somehow. Uruguay kept knocking on the door but failed to equalize until the end.
3rd Place
Canada vs. Uruguay 2-2 (PSO 3-4)In the first half, Uruguay produced their goal from a set piece that started from a corner kick. Later on, Canada also got a goal by Koné from a corner kick as well. Koné's high overhead kick was quite impressive and was one of the best goals of the tournament. Canada dominated possession after that. They did well intercepting and penetrating through space and threatening Uruguay's defence. Canada had major chances and they should've scored more than one but failed. Canada continued to make good offensive movement in the second half. Uruguay's defence was shaky and as a result, Canada was able to take advantage and score from a rebound. Ironically, Canada also conceded a goal due their defence sleeping and allowing Suarez to score in stoppage time. Thus, they went on to penalties. Canada kicked first and scored. Uruguay scored as well. The second kickers from both teams scored. Next up was Koné, Canada's hero of the first goal, and he was blocked as he hesitated before shooting. Uruguay's third kicker, on the other hand, scored without hesitation. The fourth kickers succeeded. Canada's Davies tried to do something cheeky but ended up ruining their end by doing a panenka kick that hit the top post. It was a bitter tasting finish to what could've been an amazing performance by Canada.
Final
Argentina vs. Colombia 1-0Argentina tried to control play while Colombia looked threatening as well. However, Colombia made some pass mistakes and got intercepted. Regardless of mistakes, Colombia somehow made it frustrating for Argentina to penetrate into their territory. Thus, it was scoreless at the first half. In the second half, Argentina continued to dominate in possession while Colombia looked to counter. When Messi was injured, he had to be substituted and was tearful that he couldn't contribute. Argentina finally got a goal at the end of the match as Colombia's defence was wide open. It was not the prettiest of matches but Argentina got the job done.
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