Foster’s Football Brew Round 3 – Copa America Finals

Foster’s Football Brew

Round 3 – Copa America Finals

June 24, 2016

The Copa America has one fewer stages of play than the EURO (or World Cup for that matter), so it’s going by quickly now.  As many analysts predicted, Argentina will play Chile in the final.  Here is an overview of the knockout stage of Copa America Centenario:

Quarterfinals Game 1:  USA vs. Ecuador – UNBELIEVABLE

It really helped the US to get off to an early lead.  They aren’t the kind of team that is built for comebacks against superior opponents.  In this case, the Yanks made the most of their opportunities despite not enjoying a ton of ball possession.  It was perhaps the best performance I’ve seen Team USA put together.  They could have even run up the score if Jermaine Jones hadn’t earned himself a red card for putting his hands on another player’s face away from play (a new rule of FIFA requires an automatic red for purposefully touching an opponent above the shoulders away from the run of play).  His absence was coupled by an Ecuador red card, so the stars & stripes managed to hold on to their lead to advance to the semi-finals…quite an achievement! 

On the other hand,

this is quite a disappointment for a very talented Ecuadorian side that kept up with Brazil and made a big comeback against Peru in group play.  With great players at forward and the wings, I think Ecuador lacked a bit on central defense and needs a marquis attacking midfielder to take them to the next level for the World Cup in 2018.

Quarterfinals Game 2:  Peru vs. Colombia – NAILBITER

Colombia had the better share of chances, outshooting Peru 7 to 1.  Somehow, Peru kept up with Colombia’s energy, with their talents and efforts negating each other’s’ abilities to score goals.  Overall, this was one of those stalemate games where a weary Peru played for the tie, hoping they could reach PK’s…and they got their wish.  Last year, Colombia lost to Argentina on PK’s.  This time, the kick takers didn’t choke, and Ospina came up with a big save.  Peru officially lost it when Christian Cueva, who talked some serious smack before the game, would come to regret his words.  He sailed his shot over the crossbar.  In the end, this was karma for his teammate’s hand ball in their previous match against Brazil.

Quarterfinals Game 3:  Argentina vs. Venezuela – MORE EXCITING THAN PREDICTED

Argentina started this game with an early goal (albeit a fluke goal if I recall), as they had in most of their games in Copa America.  That early pressure leads to more goals, making for some exciting futbol.  The Venezuelans were valiant in their efforts, and rewarded with a late goal to make things interesting.  Despite being outplayed, this game was more interesting thru and thru because Venezuela didn’t give up.  As we would see in the subsequent match on Saturday, Mexico could have taken some pointers from the Venezuelans…

Quarterfinals Game 4:  Chile vs. Mexico - DESTRUCTION

Have you ever seen a team with big hopes and aspirations get cut down so brutally?  I have!  This reminded me of Brazil’s fall from grace against Germany in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals.  I knew Mexico had a low chance of winning this game, but certainly didn’t see such a lopsided affair.  

Chile made the Mexican defense look like an 8^th grader’s AYSO team.  Mexico couldn’t match the level of effort, speed, fitness, or skill at EVERY position.  Even their goalie was lazy giving up the 5^th (or was it 6^th?) goal!  It was a shameful outing for El Tri, especially because they had so many of their fans in the stands.  They simply aren’t the team people had hoped, and won’t be contenders for the next World Cup!

Semifinals Game 1:  USA vs. Argentina – OUTCLASSED

Dreams crushed.  We were reminded just how far Team USA has to go to be the top team in the world someday.  They can start with learning how to play keep away better.  But a 3^rd Place finish and a morsel of revenge against Colombia could be a fair consolation prize.

Semifinals Game 2:  Chile vs. Colombia – DOMINATION

All Chile had to do was get a 2-goal lead.  Within 15 minutes, they achieved it.  But just when you thought this would be a repeat of Chile vs. Mexico, the Chileans were smart enough to slow down the ball, and play defense the rest of the match.  Chile would need their energy if they have any chance of beating Argentina in the championship game.  They didn’t press high, giving up their normal share of ball possession to rest their legs.

This Chilean lull gave Colombia incentive to strike back, but they got robbed with an early 2^nd-half penalty no-call.  Los Cafeteros were commendable in putting pressure on Chile through the very end of the game, even after going down a player short when Carlos “Dirty” Sanchez earned yet another red card.  He did the very same thing in last year’s Copa America.  Colombia is about three or four key players short of competing at the same level of Argentina and Chile.  

Championship Game:  Argentina vs. Chile – REVENGE

My Argentine cousins say that anything but a championship here will be a total disaster. 

El Albiceleste has won 4 of the past 5 matchups with Chile…the notable loss was in Santiago for last year’s Copa America final.  Chile achieved their win thru Penalty Kicks at the end of 120 minutes of play in a game that Chile enjoyed a majority of ball possession.  They won’t have home field advantage this time.  In a neutral location, this will be a very physical, hotly contested game.  Both teams are playing well and with confidence, and will leave nothing on the table when the final whistle blows.  So who has the edge?

The Messi Factor:  La Pulga didn’t play against Chile in the Group Stage 2-1 win….but Angel DiMaria did.  Let’s see if he can return from injury and join Messi on the pitch to create the best version Argentina can put out there.  Other than Lavezzi breaking his elbow needlessly during a run-away victory of the Yanks, Argentina has a healthy and deep bench to plug any holes that may open up against Chile as the game goes on.

The Triangle of Stars:  Alexis Sanchez has been the main engine of Chile’s success.  His work rate has resulted in two assists and three goals.  Eduardo Vargas has a one goal lead in the race for the Golden Boot, with a total of six.  Together with Arturo Vidal, who returns from yellow cards suspension, these three stars give Chile a shooter’s chance of defending their title.

EURO 2016 GROUP STAGE BREAKDOWN

Here’s the shortest possible analysis I can provide on the conclusion of the EURO 2016 Group Stage:

Switzerland	DEFENSE AS USUAL	GERMANY	HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Poland	RISING AND HOPEFUL	SLOVAKIA	MEH
Wales	ONE-MAN SHOW	HUNGARY	SURPRISING
Northern Ireland	LUCK OF THE IRISH!	BELGIUM	FOLDING UNDER PRESSURE?
Croatia	DARK HORSE FNIALIST?	ITALY	DON’T UNDERESTIMATE
Portugal	DISSAPPOINTING	SPAIN	EURO THREEPEATERS?
France	NEED TO GEL SOON OR ELSE	ENGLAND	PROMISING NEW TALENT
Republic of Ireland	AVERAGE	ICELAND	BIG HEART WITH JUST ONE STAR