Panama is definately better than expected. I have never seen them qualify for a world cup, so I just assumed they'd be poor. However, because they are too good to sit back and play for a 0-0 draw or respectable 1-0 defeat, there is a danger they could get opened up and play with more energy and get tired later on, and eventually lose 3 or 4 even if they match Argentina for 60 or 70 minutes but ultimately don't have the big game experience. How do we think Chile will do against Panama?
Hm only just realized there was a red card reading the comments on here. Just went away for a minute and missed it.
Panama has been very unlucky ... They were one step away from qualifying to WC '14 (and eliminating Mexico) but gave up two late goals to USA who was already qualified and wasn't even playing for anything. Then in 2015 Gold Cup they made an impressive run to the semifinal where American referee Mark Geiger gave the Cup to Mexico in one of the worst officiated games I've ever seen.
Thanks for that. You never hear about the Gold Cup in UK media. Not even the tiniest mention on the day of the final. The only tournaments I've ever watched are the Euros, Copa America and African nations, so if you are from another region, you are not on my radar at all if you don't qualify for the world cup. Looking at World Cup qualification, it seems that Mexico, USA and Costa Rica are consistently there, and so no-one else is really on the radar.
Phone battery went to 0%. Anyway Argentina (especially Mascherano) is provoking Panama to commit fouls to get one sent off. He got his wish but it was a dumb move by the Panama player to do so. Second, full stadium my ass, only the lower part is packed. And third, Messi has a rocking beard but he better not play this game because Panama will definitely break his legs.
Its more packed than 90% of the games in this Copa. Only games i ve seen with real audience were Argentinas and Mexico
It's a good Argentina side but arguably they had just as good or better teams in 2006, 2010, and in the 1990s. The quality of top international teams seems to be a little lower these days, however. Brazil, Italy, Portugal, France all weaker than they used to be before about say 2010. Just looking at the euros earlier you don't have many great teams in there, Germany maybe France and Spain perhaps.
I live in Chile and for last year's Copa all the knockout stage games and any games with Chile, Argentina or Brazil sold out on the first day of sales or very close to that. Some in the first hour. I got to one game, Brazil vs Venezuela. It was easy to get a ticket for some minor games only. Granted, the stadia are about half the size as in the US.
In 2010 we really sucked with Maradroga,.one of the worst eliminatorias we ever had and a more than forgettable WC. Batista era was also terrible, with the 2011 Copa. When Sabella arrived, we improved a lot
You can see the stadium capacities and attendances here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copa_América_Centenario a few have been about a quarter full, with others close to capacity
The ref has ruined this game. Every time Panama breathes on an Argentine, yellow card. But Argentina commits fouls with impunity. I'm a complete neutral for this match up, but it's clear the ref is not.