Copa
America is the main
men’s football tournament
contested among national teams from South America.
Organised by CONMEBOL, it is the oldest and the third most-watched international football tournament.
Brazil will be hosting Copa America in 2021 and will kick off the first match, against Venezuela on June 13.
The Group A consists of Brazil, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The Group B consists of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay,
Chile, and Bolivia.
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Here are some group stages matches to watch:
Argentina
vs Chile (June 15, 2:30 am IST)
Despite outwitting Chile in the past couple of years, Argentina
would still be looking to avenge their 2015 and 2016 Copa America final losses. Their captain and talisman Lionel Messi will also be hoping to break the curse of not winning silverware
with the national team.
The last time these two sides met in the Copa America, in the 2019 edition, Messi and Chile defender Gary Medel were
both given marching orders. Nevertheless, Argentina sealed a third-place finish with a 2-1 victory over Chile.
Brazil
vs Peru (June 18, 5:30 am IST)
A repeat of the 2019 Copa America final, Peru will be going into
this game with revenge in mind. However, they have not had the best of time in
the past couple of years as they are winless in the last seven games in all
competitions.
Their last win came against Brazil in an international friendly
in September 2019. In October last year, they also fell to a 2-4 defeat against
the Selecao in a FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying game. Peru’s top scorer Paolo
Guerrero will most probably be playing his final major tournament for the
country and will be hoping for a memorable send-off.
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Argentina vs Uruguay (June 19, 5:30 am IST)
Who wouldn’t want to watch old friends turn foes in another blockbuster ‘Messi vs Suarez’ clash? The veteran forwards were thick as thieves during their days at Barcelona before becoming rivals following Suarez’s uncermonious departure. With both aching to win the prestigious title for their country, all friendships will be
forgotten during the tie next week.
This fixture has always been evenly-matched over the years, with their
last two meetings ending in draws. The last time Argentina faced Uruguay – in a friendly in November, 2019 – Sergio Aguero and Messi were on target for Argentina. However, Suarez
and Edinson Cavani stepped up for Uruguay to earn a 2-2 draw.
Uruguay
vs Chile (June 22, 2:30 am IST)
Record 15-time Copa America champions Uruguay are one of the top contenders for the 2021 edition of the tournament. The Uruguay national team have
some in-form stars in their roster, like Matias Vecino, Jose Gimenez and Lucas Torreira, spearheaded by a lethal strike partnership in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. They will be banking on these players’
services who are coming on the back of successful domestic seasons. Against an
opposition like Chile, they will have to put in their best performance.
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Brazil
vs Colombia (June 24, 5:30 am IST)
Brazil will understandably be the favorites to win the game, but
considering Colombia’s threat in the recent years, it will be far from a walkover. The Colombian national team have a good blend of young and
experienced players in the squad.
Star midfielder James Rodriguez has been left out of their squad due to injury.
Nevertheless, Colombia are blessed with the attacking firepower of Luis Muriel
and Duvan Zapata.
The two sides have met
each other only twice in the last four years and both games have ended in
draws.
