Things We Learned After The Quarterfinals of Copa America
Photo Courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org
The quarterfinals of the Copa America have created some fierce rivals. Brazil is knocked out by Paraguay for the second successive time as they were in the same tie four years back. Argentina pulled back a victory from the same situation as Brazil was. Chile, the home team is ugly, fierce and is now the strong contenders to lift the continental cup. But here are some few things we learned after the Quarterfinals of Copa America.
Fortune Favoring The Brave (Messi):
Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina the three biggest nemesis to each other in South American football have global footballing stars from Barcelona who led to the recent treble success. They were also considered the favorites to lift the trophy this time around too. Uruguay who missed out on Suarez following the suspension from the world cup’s famous biting incident crashed out of the tournament losing with the home team. The captain of Brazil is on 4 match suspension after losing his cool against Colombia and his team disappointed the fans this time around too by losing with the same team they lost four years back. Last time, Neymar was badly injured against Colombia and missing the match didn’t turn out well for Brazil. It was a different tournament but same story for Brazil. But this tournament was more important for Brazil to regain the trust of their fans that are crazy about football.
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Photo Courtesy: https://www.youtube.com/[/caption]
On the other hand, Messi is disciplined, well poised, in right state of mind and leading from the front to end the trophy drought for Argentina. Defeating Colombia in quarterfinal who defeated Brazil earlier in the tournament definitely makes La Albiceleste one of the favorites in the tournament. The entire game was dominated by the brutal attacking force of Argentina but Colombia dragg won 5-4 on penalties. The incredible year for Messi continues and this might be the perfect time for him to add another trophy. It will definitely be a top shelf stuff for his glittering career.
Teams Dependent on Individual Players:
South American football has always been a factory of famous individual players. Pele and Maradona are the two unforgettable names in history of sports who have led their country to famous world cup glory. Messi is arguably the best player among the other entire individual and is leading the dominant Argentine force. Messi is highly influential in midfield and impeccable with this dribbling ability.
Neymar, arguably the best youngest player has scored 38 goals in the treble winning campaign for Barcelona. He is just 23 and has scored 42 goals for Brazil. Brazil looks ordinary without him in the attacking role. They seem to lose confidence and the team loses its flare without him which was seen in the infamous 7-1 defeat in their home soil against Germany. The story was no different this time around. Brazil seems heavily reliant on the young prodigy and crashed out of the major tournament in his absence.
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Photo Courtesy: www.sportal.com.au[/caption]
Chile, the home team of this Copa America has the joint top scorer of the tournament so far who also nearly led Juventus to treble glory in Berlin recently. Arturo Vidal fell in the drunken driving controversy and the entire team seems to be worried about the matter. He has failed to score in two occasions after the incident and the home team has won game in not so fair manner after the incident. Chile’s footballing style is not appreciated worldwide right now following the Zara-Cavani incident in the quarterfinal clash. Referees are heavily criticized for favoring the home team in the Copa America so far.
Colombia who impressed everyone in the world cup with impressive display before they finally lost out to the home team was led by a youngster James Rodriguez who is currently playing for Real Madrid. Colombia lost consistency and was relying on inspiration of the young forward but they were deservedly out of the tournament despite the godly display from the Arsenal keeper Ospina.
International Tournament Effect
The world cup 2014 highly affected the Real Madrid team. It disintegrated the unity of the team. Angel Di Maria left the club on bad terms accusing them of influencing Argentina on making him seat on the bench in the World Cup final. Cristiano Ronaldo was frustrated, humiliated and missed probably his last opportunity to bring some glory to his country. In fact, Portugal didn’t advance from the group stage. After the disappointing World Cup, Ronaldo was short tempered and didn’t have the same relation with other forwards which reflected the season of Real Madrid.
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Photo Courtesy: http://eatmygoal.tv/[/caption]
Barcelona wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to them with three of their main strikers in the form of their life having their country playing for glory. Although Suarez is not representing his country this time, he was definitely cheering for his country. Messi recently made a remark about Uruguay coming to wrestle with Argentina. This will definitely hurt one of his forward trios. Neymar is young, talented and scores goals fluently forward but is living in Camp Nou on the shadow for the great Leo. After the Copa America, it will be interesting to see if Barca come out and play the same way they did before or will the ego stand in their incredible run this year. The rival team will be hoping for the same effect on the Catalans.
Remaining Fixtures: