For the third time in the last four Copa Libertadores campaigns, Flamengo will take the stage in the quarter-finals, as they host Uruguayan side Penarol in the opening leg this Friday at Estadio do Maracana.
The Brazilian giants have faced a rough patch in recent league matches and will be eager to turn their fortunes around on the continental stage. Despite a 1-0 loss in their previous Libertadores fixture against Bolivar, Flamengo advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Penarol, on the other hand, faced Bolivian side The Strongest in the previous round and delivered a dominant 4-0 win in their first-leg home match. Despite losing 1-0 in the return leg, they had done enough to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
This marks the first time in over a decade that Penarol has reached this stage of the competition, and they will be hoping to make the most of their underdog status.
The Copa Libertadores quarter-final may bring back memories of the classic David vs. The Goliath clash, where the unexpected can tip the scales and decide the outcome of the match.
Between 2019 and 2022, Flamengo enjoyed a golden era, securing two Copa Libertadores titles and two Serie A championships. However, last season saw a slight dip as they finished fourth in the Brazilian league. Meanwhile, Peñarol, after clinching their 50th league title in 2018, have only won the championship once since then, making last year's second-place finish a commendable feat.
In the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo have been nearly unstoppable at home, winning all four matches at the Maracana without conceding a single goal. The Rio giants are also unbeaten in their last seven quarter-final games in this competition.
However, heading into this match, Flamengo could be without Nicolas de la Cruz and Michael due to thigh injuries, while Everton, Matias Vina, and Pedro are sidelined for the season with an Achilles tear, knee injury, and ACL issue, respectively.
FLAMENGO predicted lineup vs PENAROL: Rossi (GK); Varela, Bruno, Pereira, Lucas; Allan, Pulgar; Gerson, De Arrascaeta, Araujo; Pedro.
Uruguayan champions Peñarol enter this match as the clear underdogs, and they’ll likely adopt a more defensive approach to secure a result that keeps them alive for the second leg.
In their previous round, Peñarol made a couple of key adjustments between the two legs, bringing in Leo Coelho and Maximiliano Olivera for Lucas Hernandez and Jaime Baez. These changes paid off as the team secured their spot in the quarter-finals.
Crucial goals from Facundo Batista, Baez, Maximiliano Silvera, and Leonardo Fernandez in the opening leg of their Round of 16 clash ensured their progression and will give them hope of a strong performance in this high-stakes encounter.
PENAROL predicted lineup vs FLAMENGO: Aguerre (GK); Milans, Coelho, Mendez, Rodriguez, Olivera; Ramirez, Garcia, Batista, Darias; Silvera.
Friday’s clash will mark the fifth competitive meeting between Flamengo and Peñarol, with the Uruguayan side boasting an undefeated record in this fixture. Peñarol has claimed three wins and a draw in their previous encounters, a stat that adds an extra layer of tension to the matchup.
While Flamengo have struggled historically against Peñarol—failing to score in all four prior meetings, a run that dates back to 1982—they come into this game with strong form on home soil, unbeaten in their last seven matches at the Maracanã. This could be the edge they need, despite not having been at their absolute best in this year’s competition.
Flamengo have won three of their last five outings, while Peñarol has only managed two wins in their recent five matches. The last time these two met in the 2019 Copa Libertadores, the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate, but Flamengo will look to break their scoring drought and assert themselves in this crucial quarter-final leg.
With Flamengo’s home advantage and Peñarol’s defensive resilience, expect a hard-fought contest, but the Rio giants will likely edge out a narrow victory in the opening leg.
We believe the numbers are in favor of a Flamengo victory.
Both in the match and in the first half.
An electrifying all-Brazilian showdown awaits as fierce rivals Botafogo and São Paulo face off at Estádio Nilton Santos for the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter-final on Thursday morning. Both teams are in scintillating form, making this an exciting clash between two skilled adversaries.
Botafogo have been the talk of the season, continuing their remarkable rise by not only reaching the top eight of South America’s premier tournament but also dominating the domestic league. Their impressive run saw them eliminate the defending champions Palmeiras in the round of 16, a feat that has only fueled their momentum.
On the other side, São Paulo have also shone brightly in this year’s competition. They topped Group B with a strong 13-point haul, winning four of their six group-stage matches. After dispatching Uruguay’s Nacional in the previous round, São Paulo arrive with confidence and a desire to spoil Botafogo’s party.
Both teams are flying high, making this quarter-final a highly anticipated contest between two ambitious squads. Expect a hard-fought battle as these Brasileiro giants go head-to-head for a spot in the semi-finals.
Botafogo's remarkable season continues as they lead the charge in their domestic league, showcasing impressive growth year after year.
A major factor behind their success under the guidance of former Braga coach Artur Jorge has been their lethal attack, racking up 45 goals in the Brasileiro – the highest tally in the division this season.
In the Copa Libertadores, Botafogo have relied heavily on Junior Santos, who has been sensational with nine goals in just 12 games. Notably, he netted four in a single match against Aurora during the qualifiers. Unfortunately, a broken ankle sustained in July has sidelined Santos, and he’s likely to miss the rest of the season.
In addition to Santos, Botafogo could be without as many as seven key players, including Carlos Eduardo, who is also expected to miss the remainder of the campaign due to a thigh injury.
BOTAFOGO predicted lineup vs SAO PAULO: Victor (GK); Ponte, Bastos, Barboza, Cuiabano; Gregore, Freitas, Henrique, Savarino, Almada; Jesus.
São Paulo have made an impressive return to the Copa Libertadores after a two-year absence, finishing top of their group with a strong 4-1-1 record. They followed that up with a solid 2-0 aggregate win over Uruguayan side Nacional in the round of 16.
Domestically, São Paulo are also having a steady season, currently sitting fifth in the Brasileiro Serie A. They ended a three-match winless streak over the weekend with a 1-0 away victory against Cruzeiro, getting their campaign back on track.
However, injuries have been a concern for São Paulo, with six key players on the sidelines. Long-term absentees Pablo Maia and Alisson have been out since April and July, while Rodrigo Nestor is doubtful after missing the last two games with an ankle sprain. Additionally, Patryck (shoulder), João Moreira (thigh), and Ferreirinha (hamstring) are all expected to remain out until next month.
SAO PAULO predicted lineup vs BOTAFOGO: Rafael (GK); Rafinha, Arboleda, Franco, Welington; Gustavo, Lizeiro; Rato, Neves, Moura; Calleri.
The stage is set for an exciting clash as two Brazilian giants, Botafogo and São Paulo, face off in the Copa Libertadores quarter-final at Estádio Nilton Santos. With São Paulo boasting 18 wins from the last 39 encounters, they hold a slight historical edge, while Botafogo have claimed victory 11 times, and 10 matches have ended in draws.
However, recent form favors Botafogo, especially on home soil. The hosts have been rock-solid at Estádio Nilton Santos, going unbeaten in their last six home games and scoring two or more goals in eight of their past ten. Their impressive home form has been a key factor in their title challenge this season.
São Paulo, on the other hand, have struggled away from home, failing to win eight of their last nine matches across all competitions. With four losses and four draws since mid-July, their road form leaves much to be desired.
Adding to the tension, Botafogo are unbeaten in their last six meetings against São Paulo, although the last two encounters ended in draws. With Botafogo’s dominant home form and São Paulo’s shaky away performances, the odds seem to tilt in favor of the home side.
Our prediction: Botafogo to win and continue their remarkable run.
The Copa Libertadores heats up with an all-Brazilian quarter-final clash on Thursday night as defending champions Fluminense face off against Atletico Mineiro at Estadio Maracana.
Fluminense are aiming to become only the second team in two decades to successfully defend their Libertadores title. Despite a tough domestic season, they performed well in the group stage, collecting 14 points and advancing past Grêmio in the Round of 16 with two 2-1 wins before edging out on penalties.
Atlético Mineiro also showed their strength in the tournament, winning five out of six group-stage games. They secured a tight 1-0 win at home after a 1-1 draw away to eliminate San Lorenzo in the Round of 16.
Following their historic Copa Libertadores triumph last season, Fluminense have struggled to maintain the same level of performance, particularly in their domestic league campaign.
New coach Mano Menezes was brought in to steady the ship, and his impact has been noticeable, securing seven wins, four draws, and five losses in his first 16 games.
However, Fluminense will be missing key players for this crucial first-leg quarter-final, with Lele, Diogo Barbosa, and Ignacio all sidelined due to injuries.
FLUMINENSE predicted lineup vs ATLETICO MINEIRO: Fabio (GK); Xavier, Silva, Santos, Marcelo; Bernal, Nonato, Ganso, Serna; Arias, Elias.
Atletico Mineiro also made a coaching switch this season, parting ways with Luiz Felipe Scolari and bringing in Argentine coach Gabriel Milito to lead the team.
In the group stages, Mineiro recorded three wins, a draw, and two losses, securing their place in the knockout rounds alongside Athletico Paranaense. They then edged past San Lorenzo with a narrow 1-0 victory in the home leg of their round of 16 matchup.
For this quarter-final, Mineiro will be missing four key players: Matias Zaracho, out for the season after hernia surgery, along with Alisson (hamstring), Eduardo Vargas (calf), and Otavio (shoulder), though Otavio is expected to return for the second leg.
ATLETICO MINEIRO predicted lineup vs FLUMINENSE: Everson (GK); Saravia, Battaglia, Alonso, Arana; Vera, Franco, Scarpa, Bernard, Gomes; Deyverson.
Fluminense have had the upper hand against Atlético Mineiro in this year's domestic league, claiming four out of six possible points. Their recent encounters have been evenly matched, though, with both sides winning two games each and drawing twice in their last six meetings since June 2022.
Interestingly, those matches have been goal-filled affairs, with 20 goals shared evenly between them—10 for Fluminense (Tricolor) and 10 for Atlético Mineiro (Galo), averaging 3.33 goals per game.
Their most recent clash was on August 25, 2024, when Fluminense secured a solid 2-0 away victory in Serie A. Despite dominating possession with 60% and firing 19 shots, Atlético Mineiro failed to register a single shot on target. Meanwhile, Fluminense capitalized on their chances, scoring through Kevin Serna in the 23rd minute and Jhon Arias in the 59th, sealing the win.
With this backdrop, Thursday’s Libertadores quarter-final clash promises to be another tightly contested affair, where both teams will aim to outdo each other, given their balanced history.
The excitement is building as the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals kick off on Wednesday, with Colo-Colo set to host River Plate at the iconic Estadio Monumental David Arellano. After securing two narrow but crucial one-goal victories over Junior in the round of 16, the Chileans advanced 3-1 on aggregate and now face a massive challenge. River Plate, four-time champions of the competition, come into this clash having also dispatched Talleres in similar fashion.
Colo-Colo have been unstoppable at home, riding a seven-game winning streak that they'll be eager to extend. But River Plate, under new coach Marcelo Gallardo, remain unbeaten in their last seven matches this season, despite four ending in draws. This opening leg promises to be an electrifying encounter as both teams push for a vital advantage.
Colo-Colo didn't enter the Libertadores knockout stage with the momentum they would have liked, as they were winless in their last five matches leading up to this point. This is their first appearance in the knockout rounds since 2018.
However, they’ve been a force to be reckoned with on home turf, winning seven straight matches across all competitions at Estadio Monumental David Arellano.
Unfortunately, Vicente Pizarro won't be available for Wednesday’s match due to a broken jaw, and Cesar Fuentes is still recovering from a cruciate ligament tear suffered in March.
COLO-COLO predicted lineup vs RIVER PLATE: Cortes (GK); Isla, Amor, Falcon, Wiemberg; Vidal, Pavez; Paiva, Palacios, Cepeda; Correa.
Gallardo's squad is riding high with four consecutive wins in the Libertadores and an unbeaten streak of nine games across all competitions. Impressively, three of those victories in this year's tournament came on the road.
River Plate has a strong record against Colo-Colo, winning their last four Libertadores meetings and staying unbeaten at home, including a commanding 4-0 win in 2022.
But Marcelo Gallardo faces some squad challenges, with Rodrigo Aliendro sidelined due to a shoulder injury and Pity Martínez out with a cruciate ligament tear.
RIVER PLATE predicted lineup vs COLO-COLO: Armani (GK); Bustos, Pezzella, P. Diaz, E. Diaz; Simon, Fernandez, Aliendro; Echeverri, Borja, Meza.
Colo-Colo and River Plate have faced each other eight times, with the Chilean side managing just one win, while River Plate has claimed victory five times. Two of their encounters ended in draws.
Colo-Colo enters this match on a high, winning their last three games, averaging 1.3 goals per match. On the other hand, River Plate has had a mixed run, winning once and drawing twice in their last three matches, also averaging 1.3 goals and 5.0 shots on target.
Given these stats, it's likely to be a low-scoring affair, but River Plate seems to have the edge. While Colo-Colo will have to work hard to break through River's defense, I expect River to score at least once, possibly twice.
My prediction is a tight contest, with River Plate winning 1-2. But to increase the odds and secure the exact result somewhat, my tip will be a win for River Plate with total goals over 2.5.
Seventh-placed Paraguay will host a struggling Brazil, currently sitting in fourth, as the two teams meet for this crucial CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.
Paraguay earned a valuable point with a 0-0 draw away against Uruguay on Saturday, snapping a three-match losing streak. This result provided some much-needed relief after their disappointing Copa America campaign, where they were eliminated in the group stage without a single win.
Brazil, on the other hand, started their World Cup qualifying campaign strongly with seven points from their first three games but then suffered a shocking three-match losing streak. Their victory on Saturday broke that slump, lifting them to 10 points, though they remain eight points behind leaders Argentina.
With both teams battling inconsistency this year, this match is a critical opportunity for each to regain their footing.
Paraguay have struggled offensively in recent matches, managing to score just 4 goals in their last six outings, while conceding 11. However, there’s no guarantee that this trend will continue.
In addition to their attacking woes, Paraguay will be without key defender Gustavo Gomez, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card in the goalless draw against Uruguay. Veteran Fabian Balbuena is expected to step in and partner with Getafe’s Omar Alderete in the heart of the defense.
Up front, Isidro Pitta showed promise in his debut and could be a player to watch in the upcoming fixture.
PARAGUAY predicted lineup vs BRAZIL: Fernandez (GK); Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Alonso; Gomez, Villasanti, Bobadilla; Almiron, Enciso, Pitta.
Brazil’s struggles in attack have been evident, scoring one goal or fewer in five of their last six qualifying matches. This issue also surfaced during the Copa America, where they managed to score in only two of their four games.
However, Brazil appears to be regaining form, especially against opponents like Paraguay. While they recently lost to top teams Uruguay and Argentina, including back-to-back defeats to Uruguay in the qualifiers and Copa America, they are showing signs of improvement with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on September 7.
Vinicius Junior remains a key player in Brazil’s attack and could be pivotal in Wednesday’s match. Brazil will be confident, having won four of their last five meetings with Paraguay, including a commanding 4-1 victory in the 2024 Copa America.
Additionally, Brazil has won their last three World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay without conceding, including a 2-0 away win in June 2021.
BRAZIL predicted lineup vs PARAGUAY: Alisson (GK); Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Henrique, Vinicius, Rodrygo.
As you might have guessed, Brazil holds the upper hand heading into this match.
Looking at past results between these two teams since 2016, Brazil has dominated with 15 goals compared to Paraguay’s 3, with an average of 3 goals per game across their encounters. Despite playing away from home, this is a match Brazil should comfortably win. While it may not be a repeat of their 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay in the 2024 Copa America, a victory by 2 or 3 goals seems likely for the visitors, with Paraguay likely managing 0 or maybe 1 goal.
Paraguay’s form has been poor, with just 1 win in their last 10 competitive games, alongside 6 losses and 3 draws. They’ve also struggled to find the back of the net, failing to score in 6 of their last 7 matches, and losing 12 of their past 20.
Brazil, on the other hand, has had a somewhat rocky patch, with 3 wins, 4 defeats, and 3 draws in their last 10 games.
However, their offensive firepower remains dangerous, led by Vinicius Junior with 2 goals, and contributions from Rodrygo, Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta, and Savinho. Brazil has managed to score 2 or more goals in half of their last 10 away matches, which should be enough to take advantage of Paraguay’s defensive frailties.
All signs point that this will be Brazil's match.
Second-placed Uruguay will head to Estadio Monumental de Maturin for a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match against fifth-placed Venezuela. Both teams are coming off disappointing performances. On September 5th, Venezuela suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to bottom-placed Bolivia, which allowed the Bolivians to climb to 8th place with 6 points. Venezuela's defense was too exposed, and their attack was wasteful, as they missed several clear scoring chances.
Venezuela will be eager to return to home soil, where they've secured seven points from three matches and kept clean sheets in all of them against Paraguay, Chile, and Ecuador.
Two days later, on September 7th, Uruguay hosted Paraguay, currently in 7th place, and the match ended in a goalless draw for both teams. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate at home against Paraguay, where they struggled to make an impact, managing only one shot on target throughout the match.
Despite this, under manager Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay have only lost once in their last 10 matches across all competitions. However, Uruguay will be without several key players due to injuries and suspensions.
This upcoming clash is crucial for both sides and promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Venezuela will be eager to bounce back home after their heavy 4-0 defeat to Bolivia in the World Cup qualifiers. Despite having 43% possession and 12 attempts on goal with 3 on target.
Unfortunately, Venezuela faces some setbacks. Key players Jhon Chancellor and Yangel Herrera remain sidelined, having withdrawn before the loss to Bolivia. Additionally, Toulouse midfielder Cristian Casseres is suspended for one match due to two yellow cards.
On the bright side, Venezuela has a strong home record, remaining unbeaten in their last six home matches. Veteran striker Jose Salomon Rondon, formerly of Everton, continues to be a vital asset. At 34, Rondon remains a sharp, versatile forward, capable of scoring with both feet and finishing clinically in the box.
VENEZUELA predicted lineup vs URUGUAY: Romo (GK); Aramburu, Ferraresi, Osorio, Navarro; Segovia, Martinez, Pereira; Machis, Soteldo, Rondon.
In their last match, Uruguay was held to a goalless draw against Paraguay in the World Cup qualifiers. Despite dominating with 65% possession and registering 11 shots, they managed just one on target.
Uruguay will be without Luis Suárez, who played his final game for the national team in the previous fixture. Additionally, they are missing several key players due to suspensions. Ronald Araujo, Jose Maria Gimenez, Mathias Olivera, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Darwin Nunez are all sidelined following an incident with spectators after the Copa America semi-final against Colombia.
However, Uruguay still boasts attacking talent capable of causing problems for Venezuela. Facundo Pellistri, Brian Rodriguez, and Luciano Rodriguez are expected to provide the offensive spark needed to score against Venezuela.
URUGUAY predicted lineup vs VENEZUELA: Rochet (GK); Rodriguez, Bueno, Cacares, Olaza; Martinez, Ugarte, B. Rodriguez; Pellistri, Araujo, L. Rodriguez.
Venezuela has had a mixed bag of results in their last ten competitive games, with 5 wins, 2 losses, and 3 draws. However, their recent form has been concerning, as they’ve failed to secure a win in their last three matches and struggled to find the net in 3 of their last 7 outings.
On the other hand, Uruguay has been in formidable shape, boasting 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw in their last ten competitive fixtures. They’ve been prolific in front of goal, scoring 2 or more goals in 5 of their last 7 matches. Defensively, Uruguay has been solid, keeping 4 clean sheets during that stretch. This strong form positions them as a formidable opponent for Venezuela.
If Venezuela have a good day, given Uruguay's key suspensions - they can take one point from this match.
Monday, July 15, 2024. Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. 1-0 to Argentina with a goal by Lautaro Martínez in the 112th minute. Argentina are champions once again.
The spotlight will now be on the Estadio Metropolitano this Tuesday as Colombia and Argentina meet for the first time since their Copa America final clash in July. Argentina came out on top that day with Lautaro Martinez's extra-time goal, sealing their remarkable fourth trophy in just four years.
The teams are battling for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, with both nations favored to secure their place in the world's biggest football tournament. However, Colombia is still chasing a win over Argentina, led by their Argentine coach, Nestor Lorenzo—the very man who guided them to the Copa America final.
That Copa America final marked Colombia's first in 23 years, with Nestor Lorenzo having revitalized the team since his appointment in the summer of 2022. The loss to Argentina in the final was Lorenzo's first defeat after 26 matches in charge, and Colombia’s first since their previous loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
But the Colombian team does not seem to be in its best form. Los Cafeteros is coming off a 1-1 draw against Peru, while Argentina heads into the match after a commanding 3-0 victory over Chile just a few days ago.
As mentioned earlier, Nestor Lorenzo's team fell to Argentina in extra time during the Copa America final. Remarkably, Colombia hasn't lost in regular time in their last 30 matches. Interestingly, their last 90-minute defeat also came at the hands of Argentina, during the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.
In their last seven matches, the Colombians have displayed excellent form. Colombia has earned 13 points and currently sits in third place in the standings.
James Rodriguez only started on the bench against Peru having not played any minutes since the Copa final, but the new Rayo Vallecano signing should start here and captain the side here after getting 45 minutes under his belt.
Liverpool's Diaz is the man to watch following his excellent start to the campaign, scoring the equaliser on Friday after entering the break with three goals and an assist in his first three Premier League games of the season.
COLOMBIA predicted lineup vs ARGENTINA: Vargas (GK); Munoz, Lucumi, Mina, Mojica; Rios, Lerma, Arias; James, Duran, Diaz.
Argentina has been nothing short of unstoppable in their World Cup 2026 qualifying run, claiming six wins out of seven, with their only stumble being a 0-2 loss to Uruguay. Lionel Scaloni's squad made a powerful statement with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chile on the 6th of July, netting all their goals in the second half.
Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, and Paulo Dybala found the net as Argentina cruised past a struggling Chile side. Lionel Scaloni's team now sits on 18 points out of a possible 21.
For Colombia, Argentina remains a constant thorn in their side. It was Argentina who last defeated Colombia before their impressive unbeaten streak, and it was again Argentina that brought an end to that run in the Copa America final.
However, Argentina will be without their talisman Lionel Messi, who is still recovering from the ankle injury sustained in that very final against Colombia. In addition to Messi’s absence, key players like defensive stalwarts Nicolas Tagliafico and Leonardo Balerdi are also sidelined due to injury. Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen joins them on the bench, while Fiorentina's Lucas Martinez Quarta has been dropped from the squad.
ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs COLOMBIA: E Martinez (GK); Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Li Martinez; De Paul, Mac Allister, En Fernandez, Lo Celso; Alvarez, La Martinez.
The upcoming clash between Colombia and Argentina carries a lot of weight, not only because of their recent rivalry but also due to their impressive form. Interestingly, five of the last six matches between these two teams have been tight affairs, each producing two or fewer goals. Their most recent encounter came in the Copa America final earlier this year, where Argentina triumphed 1-0 after extra time.
Colombia heads into this match with a solid record in their last 10 competitive games, boasting 6 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws. Key to their attack is Luis Diaz, who has netted 5 goals during this run. Supporting him are Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Cordoba, and Daniel Munoz, each contributing 2 goals. Despite their strong form, Colombia will be keen to break Argentina’s stranglehold, having been edged out by them in recent encounters.
Argentina, on the other hand, has been in exceptional form. With 9 wins and only 1 loss in their last 10 competitive outings, the Albiceleste are showing why they remain one of the powerhouses of world football. Lautaro Martinez leads their scoring charts with 5 goals, while Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi have added 3 each. Behind them, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been a rock, keeping 5 clean sheets during this period. Their ability to score on the road has been equally impressive, having netted 2 or more goals in 7 of their past 10 away matches.
Winning away is tough in CONMEBOL, but Argentina has an impressive away record, unbeaten in 13 qualifiers since a defeat in Bolivia’s altitude seven years ago.
Given Argentina’s incredible form and the defensive heroics of Emiliano Martinez, it’s hard to see them defeated. They’ve shown time and again that they have what it takes to secure victories, even away from home. With all signs pointing toward another Argentine triumph, Colombia will need something special to overturn their recent fortunes against the Albiceleste.
Brazil continue their journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as they host Ecuador at Estadio Major Antonio Couto Pereira on Friday. The Selecao currently find themselves in sixth place with seven points, while Ecuador sit just ahead in fifth, holding an extra point.
Brazil have been in such a prolonged slump that it's hard to recall when or how it all began. One thing is certain though—it has to end now if they want to avoid the risk of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, as they currently sit precariously in sixth place.
The five-time World Cup champions might usually see qualification as routine, but they've got some work ahead of them after a mixed start—two wins, one draw, and three losses from their first six matches. They kicked off their campaign with two victories and a draw against Venezuela, only to hit a rough patch with three consecutive losses to Uruguay, Colombia, and Argentina.
Ecuador's form is anything but shaky. Like Brazil, Ecuador also experienced penalty-shootout disappointment in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America. The difference lies in the statistics. Not only that they are above Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifiers, but Ecuador also exited the Copa America on penalties against the world champions and secured a 1-0 win over Chile in their latest qualifier—the same scoreline Argentina managed against Chile in the Copa America.
While Brazil flirts with the edge of disaster in South America, Ecuador is doing the opposite, edging closer to the top.
Let's be honest, Brazil's form is almost disastrous by their own high standards.
Brazil started their World Cup qualifying campaign strong with two wins and a draw, but things quickly went downhill with three consecutive losses. Defeats to Uruguay and Colombia were followed by a shocking 1-0 home loss to Argentina, marking Brazil's first-ever home defeat in World Cup qualifying history.
This led to a managerial change, with Dorival Junior stepping in. However, under his leadership, Brazil continued to struggle in the Copa America, barely making it through the group stage before being eliminated by Uruguay in the quarter-finals on penalties.
Now comes the moment of truth—this is a crucial match for Brazil, where a win is a must if they want to stay in the fight for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil's rising star has been making headlines ever since his transfer to Madrid. Endrick delivered on all expectations by scoring in his debut against Real Valladolid, becoming one of the youngest players to score for Real Madrid. Now, he'll aim to bring that momentum and determination to the national team, helping them return to winning form.
BRAZIL predicted lineup vs ECUADOR: Alisson (GK); Danilo, Militao, Gabriel, Arana; Andre, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Endrick.
For Ecuador, playing in Brazil while currently ahead of them in the standings means the match isn't as crucial. They have less at stake, which could actually work to their advantage.
They've lost only once in 90 minutes over their last six matches, securing three wins. Ecuador kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Argentina but quickly bounced back, earning 11 points from their next five games.
At the same time, their draw against the world champions in Copa America and the narrow penalty shootout loss should give them a boost of confidence as they head into their match against the out-of-form Brazil.
At 27, Torres is a key player for Ecuador and has been instrumental in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Renowned for his prowess in aerial duels and goal-scoring, he leads Ecuador as their top scorer in the qualifiers with two goals. Standing 6'2", the defender is a formidable challenge for any opponent.
ECUADOR predicted lineup vs BRAZIL: Galindez (GK); Preciado, Hincapie, Pacho, Estupinan; Caicedo, Franco, Gruezo; Paez, Sarmiento, Valencia
Brazil hold an 11-2 advantage over Ecuador in their 17 previous encounters, with four draws. However, their last two meetings both ended in 1-1 draws. That said, Brazil have won two of their last three home matches in World Cup qualifiers.
In their last 10 competitive games, Brazil have managed 3 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws, while Ecuador have secured 4 victories, 3 defeats, and 3 draws in their last 10.
At the same time, the current form contrasts sharply with the long-term statistics—this is where it counts. It makes the match difficult to call.
Given recent form, the numbers suggest both teams are likely to score, but neither might walk away with the win—unless Brazil can finally capitalize on their world-class players and turn their form around.
At the end of the day, regardless of form, every team in South America is drawn to the challenge of trying to beat Brazil.
A force that could be decisive for Ecuador.
Uruguay will face Paraguay at the Estadio Centenario this Saturday for matchday seven of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Uruguay sits comfortably in second place with 13 points, while Paraguay finds themselves in seventh.
After a disappointing group-stage exit in the 2022 World Cup, Uruguay parted ways with Diego Alonso and appointed the Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa in May 2023. Bielsa has had a strong impact, losing just five of his 19 games and leading Uruguay to third place at the 2024 Copa America. Uruguay won all their group-stage matches and beat Brazil on penalties in the quarterfinals but fell 1-0 to Colombia in the semifinals despite dominating possession.
Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Colombia not only topped their groups at the Copa America, but they also share another key similarity: all four teams are under the guidance of Argentine coaches. Argentine coaches have never been as popular with South American teams as they are now, and Paraguay is joining the trend following their disappointing performance in the Copa America.
Paraguay had a rough Copa America, exiting in the group stage for the first time since 2016 after losing all three matches—2-1 to Colombia, 4-1 to Brazil, and 2-1 to Costa Rica. This poor showing led to the sacking of manager Daniel Oscar Garnero. Now under new coach, Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay will face Uruguay on Saturday, with Alfaro aiming to secure their first win in this matchup since 2007.
Uruguay have been flawless at home in this tournament, including a notable 2-0 victory over Brazil in October 2023. This match also marks a special occasion as it will be a farewell for record goalscorer Luis Suárez, adding extra motivation for the hosts.
The team’s strong defence has been key, keeping clean sheets in their last three games, with Sebastián Cáceres expected to anchor the backline. However, Uruguay will be missing key players like Darwin Núñez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ronald Araújo, and José María Giménez, all suspended. With Suárez retiring, Olivera is set to lead the attack on Friday, supported by Cáceres in defence.
URUGUAY predicted lineup vs PARAGUAY: Rochet (GK); Nandez, Caceres, Bueno, Saracchi; Valverde, Ugarte; Pellistri, Torres, Araujo; Suarez
Unfortunately, there aren’t many stats currently in Paraguay’s favor. For instance, in their last six meetings, the team has only scored 4 goals while conceding 11. The hope now rests on new coach Gustavo Alfaro, who will aim to turn these negative numbers around with the same squad.
Paraguay have no suspensions and have kept most of the squad from the Copa America. Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron are expected to join Antonio Sanabria in the attack, with Fabian Balbuena likely to anchor the defense.
PARAGUAY predicted lineup vs URUGUAY: Morinigo (GK); Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Villasanti, Bobadilla; Almiron, Enciso, Sosa; Sanabria
Uruguay hold a strong head-to-head record against Paraguay, boasting 10 wins, 4 draws, and just 4 losses from their 14 previous encounters. Notably, Uruguay completed a clean sweep in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, winning both matches 1-0.
Uruguay's attacking form has been impressive, scoring 2 or more goals in 5 of their last 6 games, and they've won 7 of their last 10 home fixtures. Defensively, they’ve kept clean sheets in half of those home matches.
In contrast, Paraguay has struggled offensively, failing to score in 5 of their last 6 outings. Their away form hasn't fared much better, with 7 losses in their last 10 road games and conceding 2 or more goals in half of them.
Tough numbers that make me think Uruguay will score in both halves.
World champions Argentina are set to continue their journey toward qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as they face Chile at Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday.
La Albiceleste will be taking the field for the first time since their Copa America victory in July, eager to extend their winning streak. On the other hand, Chile, which failed to score in any of their three group stage games at the Copa America, was eliminated early and will be hoping to turn their fortunes around.
As usual when Argentina faces Chile, expect the match to be heated. Chile always raises their game against Argentina, and this time will be no exception. Chile needs points—even if they have to be claimed in Buenos Aires. But how likely are they to leave with points? Very, very slim.
While La Albiceleste are at the top of the South American standings after six matches, La Roja find themselves in eighth place, two points off the qualification spots.
Argentina's most recent World Cup qualifier was a 0-1 win against Brazil, while Chile's last match was a 1-0 loss to Ecuador. The numbers are clear: any result other than a win for Argentina at home against Chile would be a surprise.
Argentina will be without Lionel Messi, who is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the Copa America final. Defenders Nicolas Tagliafico and Leonardo Balerdi are also out due to injury, and Angel Di Maria and Franco Armani have retired from international football.
Tagliafico's absence leaves Argentina short of left-backs, with only Valentin Barco available. In attack, coach Scaloni may choose between Nicolas Gonzalez, Alejandro Garnacho, or Paulo Dybala to join Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.
ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs CHILE: E. Martinez (GK); Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Barco; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Gonzalez, La. Martinez, Alvarez.
Chile will be missing 41-year-old goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who has retired from international football, along with injured Alexis Sanchez and Diego Valdes.
Arturo Vidal, Gary Medel, and Francisco Sierralta have been omitted from Gareca's squad. Swansea City's Lawrence Vigouroux, the only uncapped player, will compete with Gabriel Arias and Brayan Cortes for a spot. Erick Pulgar may join Marcelino Nunez and Rodrigo Echeverria in midfield, while Eduardo Vargas and Ben Brereton Diaz are expected to team up in attack.
CHILE predicted lineup vs ARGENTINA: Arias (GK); Isla, Lichnovsky, Maripan, Mena; Nunez, Pulgar, Echeverria; Osorio, Vargas, Brereton Diaz.
La Albiceleste have been on an absolute tear, clinching the title in the last four consecutive cup tournaments they've entered—two Copa Americas, one World Cup, and one Finalissima.
They're coming into this match with an impressive 11-match winning streak and have tasted defeat just once in their last 26 games. Argentina has only lost 2 of their last 63 matches. In their last 21 World Cup qualification games at home, the total goals have been under 3.5.
On the other hand, Chile has struggled on the road, winning only 1 of their last 15 away matches and losing the last 4 straight in World Cup qualification while scoring less than 1.5 goals per game. Over the last 10 competitive games, Argentina has dominated with 9 wins and just 1 loss, while Chile has managed only 1 win, 5 defeats, and 4 draws.
Chile haven’t defeated Argentina since winning the final of Copa America 2016 on penalties.
During the Copa America we had a challenge for our users together with our proud Gold Sponsor, The House of Caibo Let us introduce you to the winner. Philip Fjaestad, 37, from Sweden.
Thanks. Pure joy, it's amazing!
An old friend of mine asked me “out of the blue” if I wanted to participate in the Euro Cup competition that was held on SportsWizard and I did. Later the Copa Challange competition was announced on SportsWizard so I decided to give it my best shot and Effort!
I followed my gut feeling in the beginning, I was pretty fast with my decisions, I got a few correct scores to propel me to the top from the start of the tournament. Right after the opening match (2-0 Argentina - Canada it just felt like it was doable to reach top 10) and the hunt for points was on its way. Later on in the group stages I put down a lot of time reading statistics and the outcome of earlier matches for each team. I follow football and sports in general. Maybe it helped a bit to have played football for some time and a few other sports and also being a bit of a gambler (game of choice is without a doubt poker - Texas Holdem) might have helped.
Luckily the saying, there are always holes to fill would be classic. I’m gifting some of it away, call it a caddyfee! Absolutley taking the misses out for a nice dinner, hoping restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm, has a table and accepts crypto as a payment. If not I’ll just sleep on the prize for a while. The win itself is a pleasure! Bragging rights for the rest of the year has been accumulated to say the least!
It’s a thrill!
Absolutely! I would say let the best team win, Argentina are defending champions and world cup champions. Colombia was an equally good team throughout the tournament and even faced better opponents in my opinion, the runners up may have lacked a bit of experience from the big finals but it could have ended in any Way. I was mostly hoping that the ones chasing my lead hadn’t picked the right outcome. I concluded that they both had a draw with both teams to score. So it was smooth sailing from that point of view!
Lautauro Martinez MVP for Argentina, “super sub” with 4 important goals. James Rodrigues as a runner up based on the outcome in the final.
When the referee blew the whistle in the final game after 90+4 minutes and the scoreboard read 0-0! Not the most thrilling ending for football fans around the globe but for me it was perfect!
Team SportsWizard would like to thank Philip and all the other participants in the Copa Challange. Enjoy your summer!
Argentina have certainly had the smoothest path to the semifinals. Apart from a close call against Ecuador in the quarter-finals, they have consistently dominated their matches. La Albiceleste have conceded only one goal throughout the tournament, demonstrating their solid defense. However, they will need to be at their peak performance for the upcoming match. Lionel Messi, the shining star of Argentina, continues to lead the team, and there's speculation about whether this might be his final major tournament with the national squad.
Colombia might be considered the underdogs, but they have a legitimate shot at claiming the trophy. Their impressive performance in the group stage, where they secured a draw against Brazil to finish at the top, sets them up well. In the semi-finals, they triumphed over a formidable Uruguay team that had been in excellent form. Colombia's journey so far demonstrates their potential to emerge victorious.
Argentina have been on an incredible run. Since their unexpected loss to Saudi Arabia in the group stages of the last World Cup, they've only lost one out of their last 25 matches, securing 21 victories in normal time. This remarkable streak highlights their dominance and form, making them a formidable opponent for anyone they face.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, along with Di Maria who is known for always delivering in just big finals - will be the key in this final.
The spotlight often shines on Argentina's formidable attack, with stars like Messi, Alvarez, and Lautaro Martinez stealing the headlines. However, it's the defense that quietly underpins Scaloni’s team. Their defensive strength has been crucial to their success, providing a solid foundation for the more celebrated forwards to perform.
ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs Colombia: Martinez (GK), Molina, Romero, Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez
Here’s the challenge: to overcome Argentina, you must do it within 90 minutes. Hoping to best penalty expert Emiliano Martinez in a shootout is unrealistic; defeating Argentina in regular time is the more viable path to victory. Colombia is more than capable of this—they limited Uruguay, even with a man advantage, to just two second-half shots on target and zero big chances in the semifinal. However, betting against the world's best team, which has shown it can secure results even without top form, is tough.
Colombia leads the tournament in scoring, boasting 12 goals, with four players each finding the net twice. Their balanced and potent attack makes them a formidable force on the field, with multiple players stepping up to contribute crucial goals. This offensive depth could be a key factor in their quest for the trophy.
COLOMBIA predicted lineup vs Argentina: Vargas (GK); S. Arias, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; J. Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba
The Albiceleste clinched the last edition of this tournament in 2020, finally giving Messi his long-awaited first major international trophy. This victory propelled Argentina to global prominence, which they solidified by winning the World Cup two years later.
Colombia is currently riding a national team record 27-match unbeaten streak, which started after their last encounter with Argentina. That match, held in early 2022, saw Argentina triumph 1-0, marking the last time Los Cafeteros experienced defeat. Since then, Colombia has been unstoppable, showcasing their resilience and determination on the field.
I centrum för dessa två landslag står tränarna Scaloni och Lorenzo, båda två från Argentina där de vet att de har en hård nöt att knäcka.
"It is a final and every final has its nuances," Scaloli told reporters. "We will try to play it and win it. Every team that goes to a final knows the flavour of it and what's at stake."
Colombia is certainly feeling optimistic following their impressive unbeaten streak. However, as they head into Monday's highly anticipated match, Lorenzo's team will find themselves labeled as underdogs. This is largely due to their record against Argentina, having secured victory only three times in 21 encounters this century. Their last win came during the group stage of the 2019 Copa America, where they triumphed 2-0.
"We need to be the best Colombia, the best version, to beat Argentina, the champions of everything," Lorenzo said at a pre-match press conference.
I believe Argentina will win this match in Messi's new hometown, Miami. His story is too beautiful to end any other way. May the best team win!
After the loss to Colombia in the semifinals, a wild brawl erupted in the stands between Colombian and Uruguayan supporters. Several Uruguayan players, including Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, climbed into the stands and started fighting with the Colombian fans.
In his latest press conference, Uruguay's coach Marcelo Bielsa lashed out at Copa América, accusing the organization of being dishonest. He argued that security was inadequate but that the governing body chose to investigate the players instead of addressing security flaws.
”Now I've said what I promised the federation I wouldn't say. Now I will be punished.”, said Bielsa.
Losing in the semifinals to a team reduced to 10 men after Colombia's Daniel Muñoz was sent off at the end of the first half, and then dealing with the aftermath of the brawl, leaves a bitter taste for Uruguay. They also criticized the condition of the pitches.
”These are problems everyone knew about beforehand. They say we'll get perfect pitches, and then we get grass that was laid three days ago.”
Meanwhile, things have been much calmer on Canada's side after their 2-0 loss to Argentina in the semifinals. If a third-place finish is a consolation prize for Uruguay, it is a dream result for Les Rouges.
They will face a disorganized Uruguayan team. Following the violent conclusion of Wednesday's semi-final, Uruguay's preparation has been overshadowed by news of possible sanctions for players who entered the stands and confronted supporters.
Canada aims to secure one of its greatest soccer achievements ever when they face Uruguay in the third-place match at the 2024 Copa America. A third-place finish would mark a historic podium for new coach Jesse Marsch and the team. Previously, Les Rouges have never participated in the Copa America and have only competed in two FIFA World Cup tournaments, where they were eliminated in the group stage on both occasions.
”We want to inspire the nation ”, Marsch said the day after Canada’s semi-final defeat. “We want people to remember this as a moment in time that changed the trajectory of what this sport is in Canada.”
Canada might have to play without their captain and best player on Saturday. Alphonso Davies suffered a leg injury in the semi-finals against Argentina and had to leave the pitch in the 71st minute. Although his x-rays showed no serious damage, Davies remains doubtful for the third-place match, and it is uncertain if he will even be able to start.
CANADA predicted lineup vs Uruguay (4-4-2): Crepeau (GK); Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Miller; Laryea, Kone, Eustaquio, Shaffelburg; David, Larin.
Núñez has been an enigma in this tournament—while he has played extremely well in creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, he has struggled to finish those chances. The potential loss of Manuel Ugarte would be significant, given his high level of performance throughout Copa America.
After serving his one-game suspension in the semi-finals, Nahitan Nandez will return to Uruguay's starting XI for the third-place match at Copa America 2024.
Nicolas de la Cruz, however, will miss Uruguay's final match of the tournament due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
URUGUAY predicted lineup vs Canada (4-2-3-1): Rochet (GK); Nandez, Caceres, Gimenez, Olivera; Ugarte, Valverde; Pellistri, De Arrascaeta, Araujo; Nunez.
The distractions for Uruguay off the pitch and Canada’s pursuit of their best-ever result might level the playing field somewhat, but probably not enough to result in a draw that would lead to a penalty shootout, as there is no extra time in Copa América.
With both teams coming off frustrating semifinal losses, the edge will go to the team with more motivation. If Uruguay remains frustrated and picks up unnecessary cards that could lead to a sending-off, there’s a chance for a draw. Otherwise, Uruguay should win this match seven out of ten times.
Despite Uruguay's disappointing performance against Colombia, La Celeste should still manage to defeat Canada, a team with just two wins in their last seven games under Jesse Marsch.
However, Canada should manage to score a goal in their most important game ever.
Formation: 4-3-3 Goalkeeper (GK): Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) - Martinez has been a reliable last line of defense and played crucial roles in penalty shootouts.
Defenders: Nahuel Molina (Argentina) - A solid right-back who contributes both defensively and offensively. Jose Maria Gimenez (Uruguay) - A strong center-back with excellent defensive performances. Yerry Mina (Colombia) - Dominant in the air and strong in tackles. Pervis Estupinan (Ecuador) - A left-back who has proven to be important both in defense and attack.
Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) - Creative and hardworking, has effectively controlled the midfield. James Rodriguez (Colombia) - Revived form with crucial passes and involvement in goals. Federico Valverde (Uruguay) - Dynamic midfielder with both defensive and offensive qualities.
Forwards: Darwin Núñez (Uruguay) - The versatile Liverpool star has simply earned his place in the dream team. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) - The tournament's top scorer with important goals. Luis Diaz (Colombia) - Dangerous on the wing with his speed and goal-scoring ability.
This is set to be the highlight of the semifinals, especially after Colombia's impressive performance against Brazil. Now, the burning questions: who will face Argentina in the final? And who will battle for third place against Canada?
Honestly, Group C and Group D have made this side of Copa América the toughest. The winner of this match has truly earned their place in the final against the world champions. The same goes for the team fighting for third place. These groups have spawned two giants.
No matter who triumphs between Uruguay and Colombia, both will be worthy finalists. There’s no underdog in this match - just two hungry wolves ready to give everything for victory.
Both teams have maintained unbeaten records in the competition so far. Uruguay has kept three clean sheets in four games, while Colombia boasts two.
But this match presents a whole new challenge for both teams!
Uruguay maintained a flawless record in the group stage, netting nine goals across three matches. However, they faced their first scoreless draw of the tournament in the quarterfinal clash against Brazil, which ended goalless after regulation time.
Marcelo Bielsa's intellect is renowned, yet the challenge posed by Colombia in the semifinals might surpass even his strategic prowess. Dubbed "the mad professor," Bielsa surely devoted extensive brainpower to deciphering how Uruguay can upset this formidable opponent. Despite Uruguay's impressive run, the match increasingly evokes a "David and Goliath" narrative.
Uruguay ranks as the second-highest scorers in Copa America 2024, averaging 2.25 goals per game, and have suffered just two defeats in 18 matches since the 2022 World Cup.
La Celeste have tallied 13 goals in their last five international outings.
Defensively solid, Uruguay has secured clean sheets in six of their last seven competitive fixtures.
Right-back Nandez will miss the semifinal due to suspension following his red card in the quarterfinals, with Guillermo Varela expected to step in as his replacement.
URUGUAY predicted lineup vs Colombia: Rochet (GK); Varela, Gimenez, Olivera, Vina; Valverde, Ugarte; Pellistri, De la Cruz, Varela; Nunez.
Colombia! What transpired? How did it come about? When exactly did this occur? These questions abound, and one answer lies in the resurgence of James Rodríguez, who, reminiscent of his peak during the 2014 World Cup where he won the Golden Boot and subsequently moved to Real Madrid, rediscovered his form. Against Brazil, he rightly earned the Man of the Match accolade without scoring, yet his exquisite footballing display made it appear as if he had a twin on the pitch - he was everywhere!
But there are more remarkable feats to highlight:
Six of Colombia's last seven matches have seen over 2.5 goals scored!
James Rodriguez, Jhon Cordoba, Luis Diaz, Richard Rios, and Miguel Borja all played pivotal roles in a resounding 5-0 victory in Arizona, where Nestor Lorenzo's squad either matched or set multiple national team records, including their largest-ever margin of victory in a Copa America match.
Although Colombia's 10-match winning streak was halted by a 1-1 draw against Brazil in the final group stage game, it represents a minor blemish in their recent record, as they have now reached the semi-finals in three of the last four Copa Americas.
COLOMBIA predicted lineup vs Uruguay: Vargas (GK); Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; J. Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba.
The two teams have faced each other 45 times across all competitions. Uruguay holds the advantage with 20 wins, while Colombia follows closely with 14 victories, and 11 matches have ended in draws.
Colombia remains undefeated in their last three encounters against the 2011 champions. Their most recent meeting was a 2-2 draw during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in October.
In the Copa America, they have clashed 12 times, with only one match ending in a draw. La Celeste leads with 6 wins to Colombia's 5 victories.
At the beginning of the tournament, I had put all my chips on Uruguay to win this semifinal. However, after witnessing Colombia top their group with a crucial draw against Brazil, where a 2-1 victory was closer to Colombia than Brazil, and then thrash Panama 5-0, expectations are high for Colombia. They've impressed me so much that instead of playing it safe with a draw prediction, I'm confident enough in their performance to boldly pick Colombia as the winners.
Four of the last five games between Uruguay and Colombia have ended in draws after 90 minutes, with the most recent being an entertaining 2-2 draw in World Cup qualifying last October.
But this is a new Colombia!
If my prediction holds true, Colombia will be a major threat to Argentina in the final.
Get ready for a thrill!
Lionel Messi and Argentina face Canada in the 2024 Copa America semifinal on Wednesday, aiming for back-to-back titles. Argentina, who defeated Canada 2-0 in their Group A opener on June 20, secured their place in the semifinals with a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. As 15-time Copa América champions, Argentina seeks to continue their dominance and add another title to their legacy.
Canada has the chance to become only the second CONCACAF team to reach the Copa America final when they face reigning world champions Argentina on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium. Both teams advanced to the semi-finals through dramatic penalty shootouts. This sets the stage for an exciting clash as Canada seeks to make history against the formidable Argentine side.
However, there is one crucial detail in their path to the semi-finals - Argentina recently won against Canada. This fact could prove decisive in this rematch. Who has learned the most about their opponent? Will this be a revenge for Canada or a rematch for Argentina?
Only one team will emerge victorious and play in the final in Miami, that's for sure.
If Argentina has been the favorite to win Copa América from the start, they are even stronger favorites to beat Canada once again. Argentina, unbeaten in 9 competitive matches with only 3 goals conceded during that period, enters the semifinal aiming to extend their streak to 10 matches without a loss and secure their spot in the final.
A semi-final triumph would mark the first time they have reached the Copa America final as defending champions since 1959, when two editions of the tournament occurred in the same year, with the Argentines finishing second in the second round. Lionel Scaloni's men have conceded just once in this competition so far, against Ecuador in the 1-1 draw.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Forward Lautaro Martinez is having an outstanding tournament, with four goals in four games, leading the scoring charts. He is expected to start against Canada.
ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs Canada: E. Martinez (GK) - Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Lo Celso, Gonzalez; Messi, La. Martinez.
Not since the 2001 Copa America have we seen a CONCACAF nation advance to the final of this competition, when Mexico lost to Colombia 1-0 after beating Uruguay 2-1 in the semis. Canada understands they are underdogs, but they also realize they have nothing to lose on Tuesday, even the opportunity to extend their success story by one more game.
Although they have lost both of their previous encounters with Argentina by a 7-0 margin, their 2-0 loss to them in the opening match at the Copa America is the only time the Canucks have lost to a CONMEBOL side in a continental tournament this century.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON: Forward Jonathan David, 24, is a key player in the Canadian attack. He has scored 27 goals in 53 appearances, including the decisive goal in their 1-0 win against Peru in the group stage on June 25.
CANADA predicted lineup vs Argentina: Crepeau (GK) - Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies; Osorio, Eustaquio; Laryea, David, Shaffelburg; Larin.
Argentina opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Canada, but it was not as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Canada matched Argentina shot-for-shot, each side putting seven efforts on goal, and the Canadians had the better opportunities in the first half.
While Argentina took control in the second half, Canada showed they could compete with the world champions. Throughout this competition, Canada has only allowed three goals, all of which came after halftime. They even took an early lead against Venezuela in the quarterfinals, with Jacob Shaffelburg scoring within the first 15 minutes.
While Canada may struggle to hold off Argentina for the full 90 minutes, they have demonstrated resilience, fight, and the ability to frustrate their opponents.
However, I think that their saga ends here and that they instead have to fight in the match for third prize. Canada will score - but also lose.
Let's get ready for rumble!
Venezuela aims for their fourth consecutive win at Copa America 2024 as the Group B winners prepare to face Canada in the quarter-finals. Under Fernando Batista's leadership, Venezuela won all three group stage matches for the first time in history.
After defeating their toughest opponents, Ecuador, in the opening match, La Vinotinto topped Group B. Their reward is a quarter-final against Canada, avoiding Argentina until a possible semifinal and facing a team that has scored only one goal in their last five matches.
Venezuela, ranked 54th, finds this quarterfinal highly winnable.
VENEZUELA predicted lineup vs Canada (4-2-3-1 ): (GK) Romo, Aramburu, Ferraresi, Osorio, Navarro - Martinez, Herrera - Bello, Savarino, Soteldo - Rondon.
Darwin Machis will not play after receiving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
THE BATTLE OF THE COACHES
A notable point in this year's Copa América is that all group winners have Argentine coaches. Group A: Argentina, Lionel Scaloni. Group B: Venezuela, Fernando Batista. Group C: Uruguay, Marcelo Bielsa. Group D: Colombia, Néstor Lorenzo. All these teams won all their group matches, except Colombia, which drew against Brazil.
If this trend continues, it should favor Venezuela in this match.
Exciting times are ahead as these teams will eventually have to face off and eliminate each other.
WILL CANADA SHOCK?
Canada fell to Argentina, 2-0, in their opening game, then notched a 1-0 victory over Peru. They played to a 0-0 draw against Chile to clinch a spot in the Knockout Round. Interestingly, both of the final opponents to Canada were given red cards.
Despite being ranked 48th in the current FIFA World Rankings, Canada has reached the Copa America knockout stage for the first time in history.
CANADA predicted lineup vs Venezuela (4-4-2 ): (GK) Crepeau, Johnston, Bombito, Cornelius, Davies - Laryea, Eustaquio, Kone, Millar - Larin, David.
Unfortunately, the Reds will be without Tajon Buchanan, who broke his tibia in training ahead of their clash with Venezuela. The Inter Milan player was set to start on Saturday, but now coach Marsch has some decisions to make about his midfield.
END OF DRAW MATCHES?
Canada´s debut at Copa America 2024 has been impressive at times. Jesse Marsch's team have secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Venezuela.
Venezuela and Canada will meet for the third time on Saturday, with their previous two encounters both ending in draws. On a good day, Canada could manage a draw again, but if either team wins, it's likely to be Venezuela. There's a strong possibility this will be Canada´s final game - unless they perform exceptionally well!
I think Venezuela can handle Canada this time.
The moment we've been waiting for is finally here. Hopes will be fulfilled, dreams temporarily shattered, red cards handed out, goals scored, VAR will determine details, and tears will fall - both of happiness and sorrow.
Or, to keep it simple - eight teams will become four. It's time for the first quarterfinal match of Copa America 2024 from the USA. Even though the host nation is out of the competition, the football-fiesta continues. Trust me when I say this: the best is yet to come!
The world champions expect to have the captain Lionel Messi back in the lineup on Friday as they continue the defense of their title with a matchup against Ecuador. No team in the Copa América has so far managed to score on Argentinian goalkeeper ”Dibu” Martinez yet, will Ecuador be the first team? Possibly on a penalty kick.
ARGENTINA predicted lineup vs Ecuador (4-3-3 ): E. Martinez (GK) - Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico - Di Maria, De Paul, Mac Allister - Messi, La. Martinez, Alvarez.
After missing the previous match due to suspension, Ecuador's all-time leading goalscorer Enner Valencia returned to play the full 90 minutes against Mexico, with John Yeboah stepping aside. He aims to add to his 41 international goals and make a difference against the world champions.
ECUADOR predicted lineup vs Argentina (4-2-3-1 ): Dominguez (GK) - Preciado, Torres, Pacho, Hincapie - Franco, M. Caicedo - Minda, Paez, Sarmiento - Valencia.
Instead of providing a hypothetical example of how many times out of 10 the Argentine national football team wins against the Ecuadorian national football team, which isn't my main point - let's ask the AI.
THE QUESTION IS: How many times out of 10 does the Argentine men's national football team win against the Ecuadorian men's national football team?
AI RESPONDS: Based on historical performance, the Argentine men's national football team tends to win more often against the Ecuadorian men's national football team. Considering that Ecuador last won against Argentina in 2015, we can infer that Argentina wins most of their encounters.
The Argentine men's national football team wins about 7-8 times out of 10 against Ecuador. The last time Ecuador won was in 2015. However, this is a general estimate and actual outcomes can vary due to numerous factors such as team form, location of the match, player availability, and so on.
Alright, maybe you're starting to see where this is heading. What I want to know is simply when it's time for the next loss according to the math. Those of you who play Texas Hold'em probably know that pocket aces win against pocket tens 80% of the time, but 20% of the time - pocket tens still win.
You might already understand my final question.
THE QUESTION IS: Considering that the Argentine men's national football team wins 7-8 times out of 10 against Ecuador, and their last loss to Ecuador was in 2015, when would the next loss occur based on this calculation of Argentina vs. Ecuador matchups?
AI RESPONDS: Based on the calculation that Argentina wins 7-8 times out of 10 against Ecuador, their next loss could be expected within the next 2-3 matchups. Since their last loss was in 2015, and assuming they play once a year, the next loss could potentially occur between 2023 and 2025.
Then we have the answer; a loss to expect within a certain timeframe. We do the only sensible thing and position ourselves squarely in the middle of the answer - 2024!
But hey, I'm Argentinean. I forget nothing in my favor.
”This is a general estimate and actual outcomes can vary due to numerous factors such as team form, location of the match, player availability, and so on.”
Due to the compromises, I assist ChatGPT with the circumstances and let it predict a draw in regular time. I didn’t actually ask how often it ends in a draw; we have to maintain some suspense.
Personally, I believe Argentina will score the first goal and go on to win the match. To balance my prediction against the AI's odds, I'll also bet that Venezuela will manage to score a goal.
Human vs AI, let’s go!
Costa Rica, without scoring a single goal in the tournament, managed to secure a point against none other than Brazil with a 0-0 draw. Paraguay has scored one goal per match in both their losses against Colombia (2-1) and Brazil (1-4), and I believe they will also score against Costa Rica.
Costa Rica´s problem is that even if they win against Paraguay, they have a goal difference of -3, while Brazil has +4. This means their only chance is if Uruguay wins by enough goals to compensate for Costa Rica's deficit after their own potential victory. I won't say it´s impossible, but it looks very tough for Costa Rica, and they will need help from Colombia.
Team captain Francisco Calvo needs to be cautious about receiving another yellow card, as he already has one. If he gets another and Costa Rica advances to the quarterfinals, he will miss that crucial match. Manfred Ugalde will miss the final group stage match after receiving yellow cards in the previous two matches against Brazil and Colombia.
COSTA RICA predicted lineup vs Paraguay ( 3-4-2-1 ): Sequeira; Mitchell, Vargas, Calvo; Quiros, Galo, Aguilera, Campbell; Zamora, Madrigal; Contreras.
Midfielder Andres Cubas is the only player unavailable for the match against Cosa Rica, this after receiving a red card in the match against Brazil.
PARAGUAY predicted lineup vs Costa Rica ( 4-2-3-1 ): Morinigo; Velazquez; Balbuena, Alderete, Espinoza; Sanchez, Villasanti; Almiron, Enciso, Sosa; Bareiro.
Costa Rica's achievement in holding Brazil to a 0-0 draw in their first match was commendable, but now they face the greater challenge of pushing forward to score against Paraguay, which is necessary for their advancement.
Paraguay has managed to score in every match of this year's Copa America, against both Colombia and Brazil, whereas Costa Rica has yet to score and has conceded three goals against Colombia.
Even though Paraguay has nothing to play for in terms of advancing, I believe they will still give their all to avoid finishing last in the group, which Costa Rica would do with a loss. At the same time, Costa Rica will likely gain motivation if they see Brazil falling behind against Colombia, potentially giving them more energy to push for the outcome they desire.
It sets the stage for an exciting final group stage match!
Colombia holds a well-deserved first place in Group C with two consecutive wins, while Brazil is in second place after a disastrous draw and a solid win. This match is extremely important, as the second-place team will face Uruguay, whereas the group winner gets the advantage of playing against Panama. Naturally, both teams would prefer to avoid Uruguay, especially considering Uruguay's victories over both Brazil and Argentina a few months ago in the South American World Cup qualifiers.
It will be a tough match that will reveal whether Brazil has finally found their form after a poor first game, followed by delivering 4 goals against Paraguay in the second match. Colombia has met expectations with two straight wins, maintaining their strong form from the South American World Cup qualifiers, where they are third in the standings behind Argentina and Uruguay.
BRAZIL
Before their convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay, Dorival Junior made two significant changes: he benched Raphinha for Savio and adjusted the team's formation to a 4-2-3-1. Both moves paid off handsomely. Brazil must win. Expect Brazil to field their strongest lineup, including Vinicius Jr., who made his debut on Friday.
BRAZIL predicted lineup vs Costa Rica ( 4-2-3-1 ): Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Militao, Wendell; Guimaraes, Gomes; Savio, Paqueta, Vinicius Jr.; Rodrygo
COLOMBIA
Colombia have already secured a spot in the quarter-finals, so Nestor Lorenzo might consider resting his usual starters against Brazil. However, Los Cafeteros will still aim to take all three points from the Selecao and clinch the top spot in Group D. A player who has been missing since Colombia's opening match against Paraguay is defender Jhon Lucumi, who is dealing with a minor leg injury. It is uncertain if he will play.
COLOMBIA predicted lineup vs Brazil (4-3-3): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma, Arias; Rodriguez, Borre, Diaz
WORTH NOTING: Colombia defeated Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifiers in October 2023 with two goals from Liverpool star Luis Diaz – keep an eye on him! He has scored one goal in this tournament so far.
Considering Brazil's inconsistent form, I'm predicting a draw between these two teams. It will be a tough battle to see who gets to face Panama.
Everything started well for the USA with a solid 2-0 win over Bolivia. Before the match against Panama, both the team and most newspapers were confident that the USA would secure their 3 points in the same convincing manner as Uruguay did against Bolivia, a match that ended 5-0 in favor of La Celeste. Instead, it turned into a dramatic match where Panama came out on top.
The drama began as early as the 18th minute when Tim Weah had a mentally unstable moment and struck an opposing player on the head. The blow wasn't as harsh as the subsequent red card after a VAR review, but t was a correct decision, as the strike was aimed at the head without the ball being anywhere near.
Nevertheless, it was the USA’s Folarin Balogun who scored the match's first goal in the 22nd minute, a powerful left-footed shot from 15 meters that hit the post before bouncing into the net. Four minutes later, in the 26th minute, Panama responded with a goal of their own. Cesar Blackman sent a low, well-placed shot that the American goalkeeper couldn't reach.
For most of the second half, both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. It wasn't until the 83rd minute that Panama's José Fajardo secured the final 2-1 result.
As it stands, it's less likely that the USA will defeat Uruguay than it is for Panama to win against already-eliminated Bolivia by a few goals. The question is: can the USA beat Uruguay? Despite considering that the USA is playing on home turf in a major tournament, I still conclude that no, they won't.
Can they manage a draw against Uruguay? Maybe, but then Panama must simultaneously draw against Bolivia, who have already packed their bags, if they are to advance in Copa América 2024.
I believe it's time for the USA to say goodbye. The loss to Panama also meant losing the second place in Group C. Very sad for the home crowd.
I also believe very much in today's betting tips - very good for you!
