The Group Stages of the 47th edition of the Copa América have finally concluded and as expected Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. have been the standout performers. The former Barcelona teammates’ brilliance has ensured their respective nations finish at the top of their groups. Let’s take a look back at the Group Stage of this year’s Copa América and what’s in store for the knockouts.
GROUP – A
Group A consisted of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, the nations from the South of the continent. Argentina were comfortable winners of the group with ten points. The Albiceleste had a tough start drawing to Chile in the opening match day, but since then they quickly bounced back by winning their next three games.
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The Argentine Captain, Lionel Messi has been in inspired form, notching up the most goals and most assists so far. Uruguay finished second in the group narrowly edging their neighbours Paraguay by a point after beating them on the final match day thanks to an Edison Cavani penalty. Behind Paraguay, making up the last knockout qualification spot was Chile, who have had quite an underwhelming Copa, managing to win just one game against Bolivia. Bolivia, who took the last spot have been the punching bag of the group failing to even secure a point for the entirety of the Group Stages.
GROUP – B
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, the nations from the North of the continent made up the second group. Brazil emerged as group winners and deservedly so as the host nation has put on a formidable show so far by playing some fantastic football. The Selecao comfortably won their first two games and made hard work of their third but narrowly edged past Columbia thanks to a Casemiro header right at the death. Like their eternal rivals Argentina, they too finished on ten points thanks to a draw against Ecuador on the final match day. Peru, who were the finalists in the previous Copa took the runners up spot in the group on seven points. They were followed by Columbia with four points and taking the final qualification spot was Ecuador who managed to claim it by one point over Venezuela, thanks to their draw against Brazil on the last match day. They finished on three points while the unfortunate Venezuelans ended on two.
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The quarter-finals are very nicely setup as Brazil take on Chile in what could be a Copa América classic, while Argentina face Ecuador. Uruguay are matched against Columbia in another mouth-watering encounter while Peru face Paraguay in the last QF. We will soon find out whether the two favourites Argentina and Brazil have it in them to go all the way and meet in the final.
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Aarya Bhagwat