Shit’s a joke.. should have been top 2 from each group advance to semifinals, that way each group game would be a real battle. But of course they prefer to have pretty much everyone advance that way they have more knockout games to cash in on
It was originallly 4 of 6, but Australia and Qatar had to leave. I don't mind 4 teams qualifying but I am also from Peru and am biased, so take that as you want.
Or at least top 3 with the group winners getting a bye. That way you still have 3 KO rounds and it provides a big incentive to win your group. Everybody would likely have something to play for to the end of the group stage, provided the team isn't wiped-out from COVID. Having 2 off days this early in the tournament also isn't great for building momentum. Who dreamed up this format and schedule?
Well now CONMEBOL are asking him to backtrack his statements or risk further sanction, pretty much sending a message to all the other players that they are not allowed to voice their opinions
He should have voiced his opinion by not accepting a call up. I know lower profile players from smaller teams stand to gain more from playing in a CA, but their salary is not tied to the NT and playing is basically voluntary.
Brazil 4-0 Peru. Wow. Brazil is back. Definitely. World, beware. The World Cup 2022 may very well be Brazil's vengeance for that terrible semifinal loss at home to Germany 1-7, followed by some irrelevance during rebuilding. But here they are again, in great form, and again practicing "Jogo Bonito." Brazil completed their 10th consecutive win and 8th consecutive clean sheet. The ability shown today was uncanny, especially from Neymar who did it all, and was all over the field, even defending at times, organizing the midfield and passes, attacking from all sides, passing and assisting his companions phenomenally, and he did score his goal. The one disgraceful note was his dive, trying to earn a penalty kick. Fortunately the VAR thwarted him. Anyway, Neymar is showing some of his best exhibitions with his national team, unlike previous showings when he was often selfish and a prima-donna, as well as a non-stop diver. It seems like the punkish kid is now an adult, more mature, and playing his best soccer ever. Given that Messi has been just as good for Argentina, of course the prediction is that Copa America 2021 will have the result that the whole soccer-loving world wants to see: a final between Brazil and Argentina, and the way things are going, it's very likely that this is exactly what will happen. I don't see anybody who can stop Brazil from winning this tournament, except Argentina, so the final will be fascinating, featuring Neymar vs. Messi. Of course, South America has other quality teams; Uruguay hasn't even debuted yet, so we haven't seen the other great player, Luis Suárez, throwing his name in the hat. Chile and Colombia are no pushovers. But logic would indicate that Brazil vs. Argentina will be the title match. I hope so. Brazil at this time reminds me a lot of my Italy. Italy, 10 consecutive victories, 10 clean sheets. Last two games, 6 goals for, none against. Brazil, 10 consecutive victories, 9 clean sheets. Last two games, 7 goals for, none against. Both teams have great goalkeeping, solid defenses, they can keep possession, have dominant midfields, can counter fast, are creative in offense, and finish well, scoring from both inside the box and from mid-distance. Clearly Italy so far is the class of the Euro 2020, and Brazil the class of the Copa America 2021. One can dream of a final in Qatar, Brazil vs. Italy... But I'm getting ahead of the game, literally. For now, let's think of the objectives at hand. I'm hoping that Italy will win the Euro, and Brazil will win the Copa America. Of course, both tournaments have other good teams, and in the knockout phase it's sufficient to have a bad day and some bad luck and you can be eliminated, so regardless of current form, there is no guarantee that Italy and Brazil will reach their respective finals. But so far, there is no doubt that these two have been the most entertaining sides. --------- Colombia 0-0 Venezuela - oh my, what an incredible onslaught. Colombia created opportunity after opportunity, dozens of them, and miraculously couldn't score. Venezuela's goalie was possessed. Some soccer-playing devil incarnated into that guy today, and the ball just wouldn't go in.
Agreed, but still, the games have been pretty good, and teams have been trying really hard, so I guess it's because of the intense rivalries.
That’s assuming Argentina wins their group. They already dropped 2 points vs Chile and now we have to see what happens vs Uruguay. If Argentina finishes in any position other than first in the group stage, they will face Brazil before the final (assuming Brazil wins their group, which is near-impossible to imagine not happening)
There were several very pretty moments. People always want more from the Seleção and of course there were some duds too, but let's give them some credit. Compare for example some Brazilian-style catenaccio of the Dunga era with what we saw yesterday. There were several flowing moments with beautiful triangulations. Besides, certainly this doesn't necessarily relate to Jogo Bonito, but look at the results: this was the 10th consecutive victory with 9 clean sheets. Last time Brazil went in stretches like this one, Pelé was still playing.
Still, I think Argentina will win their group. Sure, they drew with Chile but Chile is no pushover and Argentina played well, and Messi seems really invested in winning what could be his first and only title with the senior national team (I hope it doesn't happen).
we only had good moments in the last 15 minutes . First half was atrocious with the lineup Tite put out . I think he was trying to prove a point to the people asking for more attackers . Mind you that this performance was against the 10th placed team in WCQ . Peru was good in 2018 but they seem to have lost it . So just to put this in context . After 2008 Dunga had Brazil playing pretty good with great plays from Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano . That team was better than what Tite has now . Dungas second stint was poor . Tite is clearly still trying to find a good setup like he had for 2018 . Right now he is experimenting . He hasn’t been able to replace Renato Augusto and to a lesser extent Paulinho .
I couldn't disagree more. Sure you were poor in the first half, but the second you ran over us and we had no answer. I also don't understand the narrative that we're bottom so therefore we are the worst. Heard it all over social media. We're still a decent side and we're joint bottom after 6 matchdays, not 15.
Fair enough with the bottom of table part . You have played Brazil and Argentina already as well . But your team looked quite a bit weaker than 3 years ago against a weaker Brazil. We’re you mossing some players ?
Yeah it's a different squad as we're using this Copa America to experiment with some new talent. Something we can't really afford to do in the qualifiers.
Well, in 2009, Brazil had an 11-win streak (starting with a WCQ win over Peru in Porto Alegre by 3-0 on April 1 and ending with a 3-0 win over Chile, also in WCQ, in Salvador, with a 4-2 score). This included the Confederations Cup and a friendly against Estonia. Brazil scored 31 goals and allowed 9. This 11-match win streak was part of a 19-match streak during which Brazil was unbeaten; it started with an 0-0 WCQ draw vs. Argentina and ended with a 4-2 win over Chile in WCQ.
This Brasil looks really hard to beat, tbh. We will need to get incredibly lucky or la mano de dios vol 2.
Yes, putting it in context, we beat Venezuela and Peru... and haven't played the big dogs, huh? Oh wait, we *have* been playing these same teams in the WCSAQ and guess what, six games, six wins. Let the big dogs come. We'll beat them too. And no, regardless of their position in the WCSAQ, Peru actually played well, they are not so bad, but got completely overwhelmed in second half. Yes, Brazil had a lot of merit. As for what you said about 2008 Brazil, you have a point.
Pretty good. Here in the United States things are settling down, with 65% vaccination rate getting close to 70%, but I look at Brazil and Argentina and Peru with grave concern. I wish you guys had more/better vaccines there... But glad to know you're surviving. Anyway, in these tough times, at least we all have some good soccer to watch.
Yeah, its hard but we are already 30% of the population vaccinated here in Argentina, so its not that bad. Plus we are fabricating a lot of vaccines so soonish it will be over and we will all be vaccinated, but right now we are still with a lot of cases. I dont know about Brasil, but the Peru situation is way worse than here. I know it well cause my brother (only 30 y/o) is hospitalized there in Peru...in the ICU. He was at life risk due to covid (intubated, coma) but after 3 weeks he is now getting better and no longer intubated . I had the virus last year with bilateral pneumonia but thankfully I got through it ok. Now me and my husband are already vaccinated thankfully. What a sad time for everyone. I wish things get better soon in all latinamerica (and the world)