Canada is running with the big boys at the Copa América.
Jesse Marsch’s side hasn’t looked one bit out of place in its first tournament appearance, surviving a tough group that included Lionel Messi’s Argentina to advance to the quarter-finals.
What will the knockout round of the competition bring now that the group stage is over? Sportsnet ranks the remaining eight teams at the Copa América.
1. URUGUAY
Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group C
Results: 3-1 win vs. Panama, 5-0 win vs. Bolivia, 1-0 win vs. United States
Next opponent: Brazil (July 6, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
One of three teams to go a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage, Uruguay has scored a tournament-high nine goals while only conceding once. Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez has been sensational in attack (two goals), while the centre-back pairing of Ronald Araújo and Mathías Olivera has provided the team with a solid defensive foundation. La Celeste (The Sky Blue) have found their groove under Argentinian manager Marcelo Bielsa and nobody wants to play them, including quarter-final opponent Brazil.
2. ARGENTINA
Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group A
Results: 2-0 win vs. Canada, 1-0 win vs. Chile, 2-0 win vs. Peru
Next opponent: Ecuador (July 4, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
The reigning World Cup champions cruised through the group stage without much fuss thanks to three clean-sheet wins. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez leads the tournament in scoring and has accounted for four of his country’s five goals, while Emiliano Martínez has been solid between the posts. The scary thing is that Lionel Messi hasn’t even really got going yet at the Copa.
3. COLOMBIA
Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group D
Results: 2-1 win vs. Paraguay, 3-0 win vs. Costa Rica, 1-1 draw vs. Brazil
Next opponent: Panama (July 6, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT)
Colombia’s lone Copa América title was won on home soil in 2001. Twenty-three years later, Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers) look like a good bet to win a second one. Playing with fearlessness and aggression has served the Colombians very well, allowing them to win Group A ahead of Brazil. Wingback Daniel Muñoz (two goals) has been one of the best players at the Copa.
4. VENEZUELA
Path to the quarter-finals: First place in Group B
Results: 2-1 win vs. Ecuador, 1-0 win vs. Mexico, 3-0 win vs. Jamaica
Next opponent: Canada (July 5, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
A lot of critics were sleeping on the Venezuelans ahead of the Copa, predicting they’d finish third in its group. But they’ve been one of the best and most entertaining teams to watch at this tournament thus far. A balanced attack and solid back line saw Venezuela score six goals and post three wins (two clean sheets) to book its spot in the quarter-finals for only the fifth time in their history.
5. BRAZIL
Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group D
Results: 0-0 draw vs. Costa Rica, 4-1 win vs. Paraguay, 1-1 draw vs. Colombia
Next opponent: Uruguay (July 6, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
Uninspiring. That’s probably the best way to describe Brazil’s run at the Copa so far. The Seleção’s win over lowly Paraguay wasn’t all that impressive considering they were the second-lowest ranked country ahead of this tournament. The Brazilians had to fight and scrap to earn a share of the points in draws against Concacaf’s Costa Rica and group winners Colombia. It’s been pretty laboured from the Brazilians, far from the exciting brand of soccer they’re renowned for playing.
6. CANADA
Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group A
Results: 2-0 loss vs. Argentina, 1-0 win vs. Peru, 0-0 draw vs. Chile
Next opponent: Venezuela (July 5, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT)
Canada did what it had to do to advance to the quarter-finals in its Copa América debut, overcoming an opening loss to Argentina by grinding out results in its next two games to survive a tough group. But the team has only scored one goal and had the benefit of playing with the man advantage against both Peru and Chile. The loss of Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchana (broken tibia suffered in training) is also a big blow. We’re about to see what the Canadians are truly made of in the knockout stage.
7. PANAMA
Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group C
Results: 3-1 loss vs. Uruguay, 2-1 win vs. United States, 3-1 win vs. Bolivia
Next opponent: Colombia (July 6, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT)
Panama is through to the knockout round of the Copa in its second tournament appearance, and it has to be said it’s not a fluke. An impressive win over the United States in Atlanta was well earned and the team’s attack has been impressive with six goals. But five goals against suggests this team can easily be broken down, something Colombia should have an easy time doing in the quarterfinals.
8. ECUADOR
Path to the quarter-finals: Second place in Group B
Results: 2-1 loss vs. Venezuela, 3-1 win vs. Jamaica, 0-0 draw vs. Mexico
Next opponent: Argentina (July 4, 9 p.m. ET)
Ecuador has been scrappy at this competition, as evidenced by its stalemate against Mexico in its group stage finale to book its ticket for the quarter-finals. But it’s also been able to turn on the style, as Jamaica discovered to its peril. But things are going to get much tougher for the Ecuadorians when they face Argentina in the next round.
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 20 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer. TFC Republic can be found here.
