Copa America Centenario: MD1 Review

The Copa America Centenario got underway this week with the first round of group stage fixtures. The US suffered defeat on home soil, while Angel di Maria showed his courage by scoring for Argentina, just days after the passing of his grandmother.

 

Group A

United States 0 – Colombia 2 (Zapata, Rodriguez)

The tournament hosts got off to the worst possible start in Group A, losing to Colombia. Two first half goals were enough for the Colombian side to take the three points. Cristian Zapata (8’) opened the scoring early, before James Rodriguez (42’) scored from the penalty spot after DeAndre Yedlin handled the ball in the box. The US will need results in both games now to get through this group.

 

Costa Rica 0 – Paraguay 0

A feisty affair between these two ended with a sending off, but no goals in the hot Orlando weather. After Yeltsin Tejada Valverde received a yellow card after just 20 seconds, it was expected that it would not end 11v11 and that was the case. Costa Rica’s Kendall Waston was the man to get an early bath as neither side looked like scoring in the humid conditions, which resulted in a water break in both halves.

 

With a goalless draw in the second match, the USA will feel slightly better about their defeat to Colombia, as they are only a point behind a qualification place. James Rodriguez and his side have taken control of Group A with their win.

 

Group B

Haiti 0 – Peru 1 (Guerrero)

Just a single goal was enough for Paraguay to overcome minnows Haiti in their first ever Copa America group match. Paolo Guerrero was the man to get the goal for Peru, and it was a record-breaking one. His diving header off Edison Flores’ lofted ball was enough to make him Peru’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 27 goals. Haiti played well, but they will struggle to get through now.

 

Brazil 0 – Ecuador 0

These two are the favourites to get out of Group B, but neither could create a good enough chance to get a goal in their opening fixture of the Centenario. However, Ecuador should have won, however, as they had the ball in the back of the net. The goal was disallowed as the referee had already given a goal kick for the ball crossing the goal line. However, replays showed the ball was still in play and the goal should have stood. A lucky escape for Brazil could have saved their Copa hopes already.

 

Peru top the group after, unsurprisingly, beating minnows Haiti. The lack of goals in the other game may be a concern for both Brazil and Ecuador, but they are still be the two teams that will be favourites to get through the group stages.

 

Group C

Jamaica 0 – Venezuela 1 (Martinez)

Just a single goal was needed for Venezuela to beat Jamaica in Group C. The goal came early on when Josef Martinez (15’) put the ball between Andre Blake’s legs to give the CONMEBOL side the lead. Jamaica then went down to ten men when Rodolph Austin was given a straight red card for a challenge on Tomas Rincon. The defeat leaves Jamaica all but out unless they beat Mexico or Uruguay.

 

Mexico 3 (Pereira og, Marquez, Herrera) – Uruguay 1 (Godin)

Four goals, eight yellows and two reds. That sums up Mexico’s 3-1 win over Uruguay. The Mexicans went in front through an Alvaro Pereira og (4’) early on and their advantage was helped when Uruguay went down to ten men before the half when Matias Vecino received his second yellow. Into the second half and Andres Guardado was then sent off making it 10v10. From the resulting free kick, Diego Godin (74’) made it 1-1. Late on though, it would be Mexico who took the win, through captain Rafael Marquez (85’), quickly followed by Hector Herrera (90+2’). Uruguay will need to bounce back against the weaker opposition of the group to get through now.

Both Mexico and Venezuela have got off to a perfect start and will be looking forward to their next match-ups. Jamaica and Uruguay have catching up to do.

 

Group D

Panama 2 (Perez) – Bolivia 1 (Arce)

Two goals from Blas Perez were enough to get Panama a victory in their first ever Copa America game. The veteran striker got the Panamanian fans going early on, when he scored the goal to put them 1-0 up (11’). In the pouring rain, the Bolivia side got back into it, when Juan Carlos Arce (54’) equalised. However, Perez (87’) would break hearts late on, as he scored his second to win the game for Panama, and to take the lead in the Copa Centenario Golden Boot standings. The win puts Panama in a very good position, while Bolivia will have to get points in their other two games.

 

Argentina 2 (di Maria, Banega) – Chile 1 (Fuenzilada)

Despite not having Lionel Messi, Argentina still ground out a win in their first game of the Centenario. The 4x Ballon d’Or winner was out with a back injury, but Banega deputised well. After a goalless first half, it would be him who set up Angel di Maria (51’) to put Argentina into the lead. Ever Banega (59’) then got on the scoresheet, rounding off a man of the match performance. The reigning Champions did get a goal late on, when Jose Fuenzilada (90+3’) scored in stoppage time, but it was to no avail as Argentina get the three points.

 

Argentina and Panama look good after securing wins in their first matches. However, Chile cannot be ruled out, and victories in their other two games would see them go through to the knockout stages.