The key to the Copa América: how the 4th places are going. and the National Team’s path to the final :: Olé

On the eve of this America Cup, It was clear that the Argentine National Team and Uruguay started as favorites in their groups. Also, due to their performance in the Qualifiers, it was logical for Venezuela and Colombia to take a step forward. However, no one gave to teams like Mexico or the United States, and especially Brazil, having to do the math in recent times. One step away from completing the group stage, This is the outlook for each of the countries and the possible quarter-final matches.

–Group A: The Argentine National Team has six points (+3 goal difference), while behind them are Canada (3 points and -1 DG), Peru (1 point) and Chile (1). To finish as leader of the group, Scaloneta only needs to draw against Fossatti’s team. At the same time, Canada and Chile will play a final in Orlando. If Canada wins, they go straight to the quarterfinals. If they draw, Canada would get into the last eight if the Albirroja do not get a victory in Miami. And, if Chile wins, they would need a helping hand from the Albiceleste.

–B Group: Venezuela, led by Bocha Batista, surprised everyone in the Copa America and is leading the way with six points (+2 DG). On the last date, the Vinotinto will face Jamaica (0) who has already been eliminated and, with a draw, it will be enough to guarantee first place. In Phoenix, Ecuador (2nd) and Mexico (3rd) will play for their lives. The winner goes through. And, if they do not get out of the tie, the Tri will go through by having one more goal in the goal difference.

-Group C: Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay has not stopped its march and, with one match remaining, is in the quarterfinals. Behind them are the United States (2nd) and Panama (3rd), both with three points. Bolivia is last, with mathematical chances, but not very realistic (it needs to win by eight goals). In this context, La Celeste will qualify as 1st with a draw. But, if that happens, Panama would qualify 2nd if it wins against La Verde. What does the United States need? To win, for both matches to end in a draw or for Bolivia to beat Panama. Of the three, a draw is the most feasible.

–Group D: With two games left, everything is still to be decided. Colombia is the leader (3 points, with +1 DG), ahead of Brazil (1 point and 0 DG), Costa Rica (1 and 0 DG) and Paraguay (0 and -1 DG). Given how everything is going, the Cafetero would be satisfied with winning one more of the two matches left. Brazil definitely needs to win one and, with four points out of six, would also be in the fourth round. Gustavo Alfaro’s team is in the same situation as the Canarinha, with the advantage that it will decide against the modest Paraguay, which is obliged not to lose any more.

At the moment, there are three teams classified in 4th, although the position has not yet been defined.: Argentina (Group A), Venezuela (Group B) and Uruguay (Group C). Colombia would be fourth in Group D if they manage to beat Costa Rica on Friday night. In turn, There are two who already know that they will watch the definition on TV: Jamaica (Group B) and Bolivia (Group C). They would be joined by Paraguay if they lose to Brazil.

Let’s go to the rooms. Argentina, with a great chance of finishing first, has all the numbers to face Ecuador or Mexico. However, his rival could also be Venezuela, if Vinotinto loses against Jamaica on the last date and a winner emerges between Ecuador (by one goal) and Mexico (by two goals). As for the second in Group A, it seems clear that it will be defined between Canada and Chile, with more chances for the Northern Reds.

On the other side of the painting, Uruguay would stay with Group C, while the results of the last date will define whether the United States or Panama get into the 4th. And, in Group D, Colombia and Brazil would be the ones who get a ticket to the best eight, depending on their position on the result of the last day. Only a catastrophe, like the one that occurred in the United States in 2016, could leave Verdeamarela out in the first phase.

The quarterfinal matches could be:

• Crossing 1: Argentina (1A) vs. Ecuador/Mexico (2B)
• Cross 2: Venezuela (1B) vs. Canada/Chile (2A)
• Crossing 3: Uruguay (1C) vs. Colombia/Brazil (2D)
• Match 4: Colombia/Brazil (1L) vs. Panama/United States (2C)

And what would the path to the final be like? Unlike the World Cups, in which two teams from the same group would not meet until the final, in the decisive match of the Copa América the winner of Groups A and B will play against. the winner of Groups C and D. That is, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia will eliminate each other, in the quarterfinals or in the semifinals. Therefore, The Argentine National Team could face the Verdeamarela, the Celeste or the Cafetero only in the Miami definition, on 7/14.

The 16 qualified teams are divided into four groups of four teams. Those who finish 1st and 2nd in each zone will advance to the quarterfinals., where the first in the group will face the second. Will be crossed: 1A vs. 2B (1), 1B vs. 2A (2), 1C vs. 2D (3) and 1D vs. 2C (4). And in the semis, the winners of 1 and 2, and the winners of 3 and 4, will meet, making it impossible for those from A and B to meet those from C and D until the final.

In the event that two or more teams finish with the same points at the end of the group stage, a series of tiebreakers are applied to determine which teams advance to the next stage.

• Highest number of points obtained during the group stage.
• Greater goal difference during the group stage. The goal difference is obtained by subtracting the goals received from the goals scored.
• Most goals scored during the group stage.
• Fewer red cards during the group stage.
• Fewer yellow cards during the group stage.
• By draw.