Copa America 2021 has completed twelve matches and we have sixteen more to go to determine the top four finishers. At this mid-tournament stage, as expected, Argentina leads Group A with two wins and a draw, followed by Chile with two draws and a win, and both teams have already qualified for the next round.
Paraguay with three points, Uruguay with one, and Bolivia with zero, all still have a chance to move on as only one team gets eliminated. There are three things to underscore in this group. First, Argentina is the strongest team, but not by much, and as Uruguay and Chile have already proven, Lionel Messi’s troops are vulnerable and overly dependent upon his performances.
Second, Chile is back and is for real. If Alexis Sanchez can return in any semblance of his past self, it will be the Chileans who look the strongest in this group. Third, Uruguay are tired and have needed three matches to begin to find their form. They were fortunate to draw with Chile and now have two easier matches ahead, making it possible for them to progress, if with some effort. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will have to step it up on offense. But the next few games will be the ones to tell the tale of who moves on as a contender or as fodder for better sides.
In Copa America 2021 Group B, Brazil is head and shoulders above all others and, frankly, above all in the other group at this stage. They still have matches against Colombia and Ecuador, the former a tough opponent, the latter an easier one, but at six points and seven goals scored with none conceded they only seem to be building up steam and waiting to find the perfect starting eleven.
The only additional things to consider in this group are that Colombia, the second strongest side, have managed what Peru may have by tomorrow evening, putting them on a better course to second place as their last match is against Ecuador while Colombia’s is against Brazil. Meanwhile, Venezuela and Ecuador have a match each with Peru, and it will be that game that most likely determines who moves forward.
In the fashionable Messi vs. Neymar sweepstakes in this Copa America 2021, Messi has scored once, assisted on one goal, and began the scoring play on the third of his team’s three goals. He has been involved in all of Argentina’s scoring. Neymar has two goals, two assists and began the scoring play on three other occasions—an involvement with every goal Brazil has scored. Messi has a great free-kick goal under his belt, while Neymar has an open play goal aside from a penalty to his name. Though Brazil has produced more offense, Argentina has faced tougher competition. So, for now, it seems the two superstars are somewhat even.
Photo: Lionel Messi, 112227056 © Zeytun Images | Dreamstime.com
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