Groups A and B will conclude play at Copa America 2024, in Group A, Argentina have already qualified for the knockout stages and Lionel Messi’s side will play in front of a home crowd in Miami. Canada and Chile will play a shootout as one of the teams is likely to secure their place in the knockout stage. In Group B, Venezuela have qualified for the knockout stages, and it’s an elimination game when Ecuador takes on Mexico in Phoenix with only one team advancing to the knockout stages from Group B alongside the Venezuelans.
Argentina vs Peru (Saturday in Miami)
Steen Kirby: The result was in doubt late against Chile, but Argentina scored and made this game meaningless in terms of points for the defending Copa America champions. Peru have been the worst team in this group, a red card led them to defeat against Canada, and they were toothless in the goalless draw against Chile on matchday 1. This Peru side are defensively sound and I don’t expect Argentina to run rampant, but even if Argentine decides to rotate some players they are clearly the superior side. Argentina haven’t been fully clicking, and Messi is yet to score a goal, but the reality is the team in blue should secure 3 points and remain undefeated in the group regardless of what lineup they end up going with. Prediction: Argentina 2 Peru 0
Canada vs Chile (Saturday in Orlando)
Steen: A clutch goal from Jonathan David (Lille) put Canada on 3 points and put them in the pole position to reach the knockout stage with Argentina from Group A. Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville) came in the second half and was again a talented performer for Canada, while Maxime Crepeau (Portland) in the goal has been excellent. Chile’s Claudio Bravo (Real Betis) has also been wonderful in goal, he didn’t concede against Peru and almost held off the Argentine attack alone. Chile doesn’t create a lot of chances though, and Canada will be seeking a draw to advance, Chile are still an aging side that aren’t consistent anymore so I will back Canada to get out of the group on 4 points with a draw. Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Jamaica vs Venezuela (Sunday in Austin)
Steen: Venezuela needs only a draw to ensure they finish at the top of Group B, two wins in two games have ensured their place in the knockout stages of Copa America 2024. A saved penalty by Rafael Romo who plays club football in Ecuador, and a converted penalty by Salomon Rondon (Pachuca) gave Venezuela their first win over Mexico in decades, a historic result against one of the top CONCACAF teams. Jamaica finally managed a goal in Copa America but they are still winless in the history of the tournament, the Reggae Boyz were defeated 3-1 by Ecuador, although an uncalled penalty kept them from having a chance at tying the score at 2-2 at one point in the match. This Jamaica side are not totally outclassed, but they are on 0 points for a reason, the two teams Venezuela defeated, defeated Jamaica and knocked them out of the tournament, both teams are playing for pride and the Venezuelan community in the United States should start to respond even more and get behind La Vinotinto now that they are performing so well. Venezuela should finish the group stages undefeated with Salomon Rondon getting on the scoresheet again. Prediction: Venezuela 1 Jamaica 0
Mexico vs Ecuador (Sunday in Phoenix)
Steen: It’s panic stations time for both teams, this is an elimination game in Phoenix with Ecuador recovering from their surprise loss (impacted by a red card) against Venezuela to defeat Jamaica, while Mexico has managed just one goal in two matches and needs to win to avoid elimination, after they won the Gold Cup and by some are considered CONCACAF’s “best team”. The crowd in Phoenix will be pro-Mexico, but Mexican fans are enraged at this national team and ticket sales, in addition to the attitude of the crowd, will be impacted.
Santiago Gimenez, who is lined up for a big move to a top European club at the conclusion of Copa America, has struggled as the key target man for Mexico, with Edison Alvarez (West Ham) injured, Mexico called on players like Charly Rodriguez (Cruz Azul) to carry the midfield and they did not perform up to standard for “El Tri”. Julian Quinones who is headed to the Saudi League was responsible for the penalty that led to Mexico’s defeat and players like Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul) and Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens) who missed a penalty that would have tied the game have not been good enough. Mexico has been slow in the build up play, the defending and the goal keeping has been respectable but they don’t have leaders to dictate on the ball and generate scoring chances, Mexico’s winning goal against Jamaica came from a backline player from Monterrey Rayados.
Ecuador are a talented team, veteran striker Enner Valencia should return after he was suspended in the second game after a red card in the first, Piero Hincapie (Leverkusen), the teenager Kendry Paez who is headed for Chelsea, and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo as the talisman in the midfield are just three examples of the high ceiling potential this Ecuador team has. They are not quite world class, but they sure look better than Mexico do right now, two CONEMBOL sides should get out of this group if Ecuador can stifle Gimenez and company and score a goal or two to send them into the knock out stage. Prediction: Ecuador 1 Mexico 0
Main Photo Credit: Copyright: IMAGO xJorgexMartinezx
