Maybe, but Canada managed to draw Chile and barely came from behind to beat Peru even though they had a man advantage against both teams for much of both matches. I don't think either Chile or Peru proved to be worse than Canada, just as I don't think the US proved to be worse than Panama even though Panama also beat them with a man advantage. I think other than Bolivia and to a lesser extent Paraguay, all Conmebol teams can be competitive against the best of Concacaf.
That was a HELL of a game - if you forgive some of the amateur-hour action in Venezuela's half (both from their back line and Canada's front line). Now then... where are all the blowhards who guaranteed us Canada were dead men walking?
Indeed, this was the primary reason behind my preference for Canada’s victory, despite my support for Venezuela throughout the tournament. I still loved the Venezuelan fans, especially those present in Austin.
As how "things" happened now, both teams from the group where Chile and Peru came out from, made it to the semi`s. While both teams that came from the group where Ecuador and Venezuela played at...............,well ...., you know how they performed.
Ecuador was always the best team of group B, they were dominating Venezuela before Valencia got that stupid red. Yes, they tied Mexico but they didn't need the W.
This Canada team is fun to watch. I just wish they wouldn’t be so effing innocent. They need a crash course on gamesmanship before the Argentina game with a big chapter on DePaul. Anyways, if they get Roldan as the ref we’ll confirm that the fix is in, not that Argentina needs him, but…
Innocent is a good description. Cuti Romero is sharpening his studs and DePaul is practicing his rolling on the floor.
Fix against Canada lmao, shut up provinciano. USA v Uruguay had more embarassing referring than anything seen in any Argentina match so far.
Not bad for a hockey nation, eh? 😎 pic.twitter.com/CDZgwoB1EG— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ ENG (@copaamerica_ENG) July 6, 2024
Canada and Venezuela are roughly comparable sides in my book. The US is still the best team in Concacaf despite their dismal showing in this tournament. Whether Mexico, as opposed to either Canada or even Panama, is 2nd best may be debatable but regardless Mexico is right now more at the level of a 30th-40th ranked team than a top 20 side. Conmebol's top 4 teams are Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia. Ecuador would be 5th but still arguably among the top 25 internationally. Venezuela, Chile and Peru would be next in line, albeit none much more than merely top 50 caliber sides comparable to Canada, Panama and Costa Rica. Paraguay is a notch below that while Bolivia wouldn't rank even 10th in Concacaf.
Congrats Canada! I really liked how Canada played, albeit it was a bit frustating with all those missing chances. Wish the brackets weren't set up that way. It sucks that they have to play Argentina again instead of someone from C / D
Sorry, but currently Bolivia is a little bit worse than everybody else in Conmebol. About Paraguay and Peru, yes, they are in about the same level Chile is in now. But, where you are very wrong is that you must also consider that both Ecuador and Venezuela, are in about the same group as well. Only very few specific results, separates them both from the others. You only need a few specific bad results, and both teams will get surpassed by any of the other teams from the group, right away. And btw, fact is, that what really separates both Ecuador and Venezuela from Paraguay, Peru and Chile, is that all of the teams you are comparing Ecuador and Venezuela with, have won not only once, but twice the Copa America each. Ecuador and Venezuela from Conmebol, can only imagine it.
While not the most difficult opponent, tough match for Canada but they saw it through. Ref had an extreme agenda but while they should have won like 3-0, they held firm under the hurricane of bad calls and took it in the end. They showed some real poise, to top of greatly outplaying Venezuela.
Better team went through. Could have scored another 3 or 4 goals while Venezuela didn't create much despite playing a high tempo game. Canada must have been playing against 8 or 9 men.