Colombia will kick-start their 2024 Copa America campaign against Paraguay on Monday at the NRG Stadium in Houston.
Colombia are one of the pre-tournament favourites having been on an incredible run. They have been unbeaten in their last 23 outings and will look to keep it intact when they face Paraguay in a Group D clash.
Los Cafeteros have not suffered a defeat on the international stage in the last two years. Their last defeat came at the hands of Argentina back in February 2022. They have won each of their four matches played this year and have not been behind in any of them for even a minute.
Heading into the Copa America, they won both their friendlies with ease. They won 5-1 against the USA and followed it up with an easy 3-0 win over Bolivia. While Colombia will be confident of going a long way in this tournament, they will have a tough test against Brazil who are also a part of Group D.
After being on a four-match winless run, Paraguay finally secured a win in their final friendly ahead of the continental tournament. That win will be a big boost for them as they gear up to face two heavyweights Brazil and Colombia in the group stage.
In the previous edition that was held in the US, the visitors went out in the group stage without a single win to their name. They will look to do much better this time around and at least score more goals than they did last time out (1).
Having won against Panama in their last outing, Paraguay will look to put up a strong fight against Colombia. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Colombia
Nestor Lorenzo has no injury concerns and is expected to have a full-strength squad to choose from. Colombia are expected to go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where their most experienced player David Ospina will be in goal.
Santiago Arias and Deiver Machado will feature as the full-backs for the home team, while Yerry Mina will feature in the heart of the defence alongside Carlos Cuesta. In the centre of the park, Mateus Uribe will form the double pivot with Jefferson Lerma. The duo will look to shield the back line and ensure they have a strong base to attack with.
Jhon Arias and Luis Diaz will provide the much-needed width to their attack from the flanks while star man James Rodriguez will feature in a number 10 role. Jhon Cordoba will be leading the line for Colombia.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Santiago Arias, Mina, Cuesta, Machado; Uribe, Lerma; Jhon Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba
Paraguay
Rodrigo Morinigo is the only player in Daniel Garnero’s squad who has yet to appear for the national team. They do not have any injury concerns and are expected to line up with their best possible XI against a star-studded Colombia team.
They will go ahead with the 4-3-3 setup, with Carlos Coronel in goal. Gustavo Velazquez and Junior Alonso will be the full-backs for Paraguay, while Fabian Balbuena will feature alongside Gustavo Gomez in the heart of the defence.
Mathaas Villasanti and Andres Cubas will feature in the centre of the park alongside Miguel Almiron. Villasanti and Cubas will have more defensive duties, while the Newcastle star will have a more attacking role. Ramon Sosa and the highly sought-after Julio Enciso will feature on the flanks. They will provide width to their attack, while Adam Bareiro will be leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Coronel; Velazquez, Balbuena, Gomez, Alonso; Villasanti, Cubas, Almiron; Sosa, Bareiro, Enciso
Key Stats
- Colombia have been unbeaten in the last two years. Their last defeat came back in February 2022 at the hands of Argentina.
- Paraguay were on a four-match winless run before securing a win against Panama in their last outing.
- La Guaranies have been winless in their last four meetings with Colombia.
- Colombia have won their opening match of the Copa America in each of the last three editions.
- Nestor Lorenzo’s team have won each of their four games in 2024 and haven’t been behind for even a minute.
Player to Watch
James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez’s club career might have fallen apart in some fashion. But he still remains an integral part of the Colombian national team. In his 100 caps for the national team, the 32-year-old attacking midfielder has found the back of the net on 27 occasions, and he will be confident of adding to it this time around. While his form is not that great, the former Real Madrid star has exceptional qualities and he could end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Colombia 3-1 Paraguay
Paraguay, who have only won one out of their last five games, will find it difficult to keep Colombia quiet. Nestor Lorenzo’s team have been a dominant force over the last two years, and they are expected to dominate the proceedings here given the difference in quality of both teams. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.