da dobrowin： Final Four: GOAL ranks teams still vying for Copa America 2024 trophy ahead of heavyweight semifinal matches
da apostaganha： We're into the business end of the Copa America, and there's been no shortage of surprises this summer as the tournament moves into the semifinal round.
Lionel Messi and Argentina have headlined the event and remain favorites among the final four left in the competition. The legendary attacker led his side into this tournament not just as reigning champions, but as reigning World Champions after conquering the field in Qatar in 2022. So far, Messi and his men have been perfect, earning their place as tournament favorites despite the star winger himself being at less than 100 percent.
Next up for them is Canada, who have outlasted multiple teams on their way to a somewhat surprising semifinal berth. Jesse Marsch has his team grinding as Canada has earned results against Peru, Chile and, most recently, Venezuela to book their spot.
On the other side of the bracket. Uruguay had to earn their semifinal spot by outlasting Brazil, and waiting for them is a Colombia team that blasted Panama in their quarterfinal match,
How is the field really shaping up ahead of the semifinal round? GOAL ranks the teams still left in the tournament.
Getty4Canada ⬆️
Canada started this tournament with a statement, giving Argentina an extremely tough game in their opener. They haven't earned many style points thereafter, but Marsch's side won't be worried about that, will they?
First up was a narrow win over Peru, whose red card doomed them in what was a do-or-die game. After that, Canada simply held down the fort against Chile and, in their quarterfinal game, outlasted Venezuela in a penalty kick shootout.
Their reward? A rematch with Argentina. They'll be huge underdogs and few will see them realistically having much of a chance, but something tells us that that suits Marscho and Co. just fine.
AdvertisementGetty Images3Uruguay ↔️
This Uruguay team can play pretty, and it can play ugly. Against Brazil, they had to lean into the latter.
Uruguay's quarterfinal win was more about surviving than defeating, as Marcelo Bielsa's side outlasted Brazil in a penalty kick shootout. In a game littered with fouls, Uruguay never blinked, which is why they're in this semifinal round.
Darwin Nunez has been in spectacular form and is likely the key to their trophy hopes. But, even if he isn't on target, Uruguay does have a guy named Luis Suarez on the bench.
This team has both the skill and the steel to win it all, but the path forward won't be easy.
Getty Images2Colombia ↔️
James Rodriguez has turned back the clock and, as a result, this Colombia team is rolling. You could argue that they've been this summer's most impressive side.
Colombia is fresh off a 5-0 thumping of Panama, a team that, let's be honest, was the weakest quarterfinalist (the victory over the USMNT, notwithstanding). Still, you have to give Colombia credit for taking care of business and, not just that, but doing it in emphatic fashion.
Defeating Panama moved their incredible record to 27 straight matches without a defeat. Their last loss arrived in February 2022, at the hands of Lionel Messi and Argentina.
The vibes are certainly high with this team, and it's largely led by Rodriguez. The 2014 World Cup hero has been this tournament's best playmaker, showing just how dominant an old-school No. 10 can be, even at this level. He's not the only star on Colombia, though, as this team is feeling it from front to back.
The striker position is a slight concern, but, with James pulling the strings, chances will be there – and they'll need to be against a Uruguay team that seems tailor-made to disrupt the momentum.
Getty1Argentina ↔️
Despite steady advancement through the tournament, Argentina hasn't hit their top gear yet – and that almost did come back to bite them in the quarterfinal round.
Despite a Messi miss in penalties, Argentina survived a shootout against Ecuador to book their place in the semifinal. The optimist will give them credit for showing the heart and nerves of a champion. The pessimist will wonder if this team is capable of turning it on and dominating in these final two games.
It starts with Messi, who hasn't been 100 percent fit, but, let's be honest, this team is loaded with stars. Lautaro Martinez has been great this summer and this team still has so many 2022 World Cup veterans to lean on when times get tough.
Canada may provide a test, but it feels like another stepping stone for this Argentina group. Immortality awaits, but Argentina will need to reach another level if they want to seize it.