The Copa America 2024 is approaching its business end. The four semi-finalists have been confirmed, and The Hard Tackle predicts likely outcomes.
Last night, Brazil and Uruguay played a fiery game, with Marcelo Bielsa’s side coming on top courtesy of a penalty shootout. The idea of a Brazil vs Argentina Copa America 2024 final is now dead in the water, with Uruguay one of the favourites to go through.
The fact that it took Uruguay a penalty shootout to go through continued a trend in this Copa America quarter-finals, as three of the four games were decided on spot-kicks. Uruguay’s semi-final opponents, Colombia, are the only team that did not need that as they put five goals past a hapless Panama side, who were hoping to continue their dream run in the competition.
The other underdogs, Venezuela, also suffered elimination in the cruellest way possible, losing their penalty shootout to Canada. Wilker Angel, Jefferson Savarino, and Yangel Herrera all missed their spot-kicks. Overall, it was a thrilling penalty shootout, as Canada also had two misses but eventually went through.
Finally, Argentina triumphed in their quarter-final clash with Ecuador, with Lionel Messi missing his spot-kick. However, his teammates bailed him out, and a lot of credit must go to goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who thwarted Angel Mena and Alan Minda, thus preventing Ecuador’s first two spot-kicks from giving Argentina the base they required.
Heading into the semi-final, this tournament win could be a monumental achievement for either Argentina or Uruguay, with both teams tied for 15 titles each. Should either of them win, then they can become the undisputed leading title holders of the Copa America. However, before any of those things happen, we take a look at the two key semifinal clashes as The Hard Tackle predicts potential outcomes.
Argentina vs Canada
The current holders and world champions take on an energetic Canadian side aiming to reach their first-ever final. The North Americans are not at all the favourites to get anything from this clash with Argentina, but we have seen a lot of surprising results in the past.
Canada have a number of promising stars in their ranks to prove a point, and they will hope to give Argentina a run for their money. While Canada did have a great game against Venezuela, they did manage to find a breakthrough early on, but they were pegged back to take the game to extra-time and then penalties.
Heading into this game against current holders Argentina, Canada will certainly be considered an underdog. Lionel Scaloni’s men are on a different level at the moment, and as seen in the previous edition of the Copa America and at the World Cup, they can easily get past this Canadian side.
There is the challenge to become the undisputed champion of champions of the Copa America with a record 16th title for Argentina. They also have the personnel and a leader in the form of Messi to take them past the finishing line. Hence, the world champions are the clear favourites to get past Canada and get to the Final of the Copa America 2024.
Uruguay vs Colombia
The second semi-final is by far the most exciting one on paper, as Uruguay and Colombia face off for a place in the final. These two sides had contrasting results in the quarter-finals, as Colombia had an easy win over Venezuela, while Uruguay had to work to get a penalty shootout victory against Brazil.
Colombia had a rather easier draw to Uruguay, but the semifinal clash will determine which team is bang on the money. Colombia do look like a potent attacking side, something Uruguay had proven in this tournament until their quarterfinal clash.
Uruguay had also added targets like securing a record 16th title this time around, as they are tied on 15 with Argentina. So, we predict the two sides to meet in the grand final, as that game will decide the undisputed champion of champions of the 2024 Copa America.
