The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThe second set of Copa group games have seen some big wins, and some teams being knocked out. Brazil and Argentina won 7-1 and 5-0, respectively, while Uruguay have, surprisingly, been dumped out of the tournament having not scored a point.
Group A
United States 4 (Dempsey, Jones, Wood, Zusi) – Costa Rica 0
After losing their first game, the USMNT came back strong with a resounding victory over Costa Rica. Clint Dempsey (9’) got the scoring underway with his 50th goal for the national side, this one coming from the penalty spot. Dempsey then assisted the next two US goals. First, Jermaine Jones (37’) struck a powerful blow, before Bobby Wood (42’) made it a three goal lead before half time. Graham Zusi (87’) added a fourth just before the end as the US get off the mark in the Centenario.
Colombia 2 (Bacca, Rodriguez) – Paraguay 1 (Ayala)
James Rodriguez was the main man for Colombia once again as they became the first team to qualify for the knockout stages. The Real Madrid man set up Carlos Bacca (12’) for the opening goal, before getting on the scoresheet himself (30’) to double the lead. A rocket from Victor Ayala (71’) brought Paraguay back into the game, but Colombia held on to advance.
Colombia are through, and only need a point to take top spot in the group. A win for the USA would secure qualification, but wins for Costa Rica or Paraguay could blow the group wide open on the final day.
Group B
Brazil 7 (Coutinho 3, Augusto 2, Gabriel, Lucas Lima) – Haiti 1 (Marcelin)
7-1 is a scoreline that Brazil fans don’t usually like hearing after the 2014 World Cup, but this was a great night as they overpowered Haiti to get their first win in the Centenario. Philippe Coutinho (14’, 29’) got the first two goals, before Renato Augusto (35’) made it 3-0 before the break. The second half started in the same way with goals from Gabriel (59’) and Lucas Lima (67’) making it 5-0. Then, however, Haiti got one back. James Marcelin (70’) sent the Haitian fans into raptures with their consolation goal. Renato Augusto (86’) got his second, before Coutinho (90+2’) completed his hat-trick with a fine goal from outside the area.
Ecuador 2 (E Valencia, Bolanos) – Peru 2 (Cueva, Flores)
Four goals were scored in the opening 50 minutes in this one, with Ecuador coming back from the brink to get a point. Christian Cueva (5’) got Peru off to a great start, before Edison Flores (13’) quickly doubled the lead. The Ecuadorians came back into it though. West Ham forward Enner Valencia (39’) got the first, before Miller Bolanos (48’) equalised just after half time. Gabriel Achilier was sent off for Ecuador late on as Peru looked like scoring on the last attack, but he stopped them in their tracks with a professional foul, resulting in his second yellow card.
Both Peru and Brazil have four points, but they play each other in the final group game. A draw would see Brazil through due to their much bigger goal difference. If that were to happen and Ecuador were to beat Haiti, it would depend how the big the margin of victory was to see which of the other two went through with the Brazilians.
Group C
Uruguay 0 – Venezuela 1 (Rondon)
Another victory for the Vinotinto puts them through to the knockout stages. After Josef Martinez got the goal in the first game, his strike partner, Salomon Rondon (36’) got the winner in this one, nine minutes before the break. With Luis Suarez still out injured, Uruguay failed to get any real shots on target that troubled the Venezuelan goalkeeper. With two defeats from two, Uruguay are already out of the Centenario.
Mexico 2 (Hernandez, Peralta) – Jamaica 0
Two strikers, two goals. Mexico got their second win of the tournament on Thursday night, sending Jamaica home. First off, it was ex-Manchester United man, Javier Hernandez (18’). He scored a great header to put El Tri into the lead. Guillermo Ochoa then kept Mexico in the lead with a string of fine saves in between the sticks, before Oribe Peralta (81’) doubled the lead to secure the game. The win sends both Mexico and Venezuela through.
Two wins from two mean Mexico and Venezuela are both through to the quarter finals. The two play on Monday to decide who wins the group. Uruguay and Jamaica will play for pride, and to see who finishes bottom of Group C.
Group D
Chile 2 (Vidal 2) – Bolivia 1 (Campos)
A 100th minute penalty gave Chile all three points to eliminate Bolivia from the Centenario. They took the lead just after half time when Arturo Vidal (46’) scored from a cutback from Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez. On the hour mark, Jhasmani Campos (61’) scored what could be the goal of the tournament with a whipped free kick from 30 yards, beating Ochoa in the Chilean goal. However, when Ronald Eguino was knocked out after Eduardo Vargas tried an overhead kick, a lot of stoppage time was added on. And more controversy would come as Chile were awarded a penalty deep into it. Arturo Vidal (90+10’) stepped up and scored it in tenth minute of stoppage time to give Chile all three points.
Argentina 5 (Messi 3, Otamendi, Aguero) – Panama 0
After coming on as a sub, Lionel Messi score a her-tick in just 19 minutes to give Argentina their second win of the tournament. Nicolas Otamendi (7’) put them in front, and they got even more momentum in the game when Anibal Godoy was sent off for a second bookable offence. Into the second half and the 4x Ballon d’Or winner entered the game. He then scored (68’) to make it 2-0 just seven minutes later. Then, he scored a wonderful free kick (78’), rivalling Campos’ for Bolivia, before securing his hat-trick late on (87’). Sergio Aguero (90’) got Argentina’s fifth in stoppage time.
With Chile playing Panama on the final day, Argentina’s qualification is secured, and they only need a point to make sure it is top spot. After two defeats, Bolivia are out of the competition.
