Despite not having Neymar, the ‘verdeamarela’ will be the head of Group D and without a doubt, they are the big favorites to qualify in first place in the sector for the quarterfinals.
However, this selection is not to the liking of many. Brazilian star Ronaldinho Gaúcho once again attacked his country’s current national team, “perhaps one of the worst teams in recent years”, lacking “respectable” leaders and “mostly with mid-level players.”
Brazil will debut in the America Cup next day the 24th against Costa Rica, in Los Angeles, and then they will face Paraguay and Colombia, in Group D.
The five-time world champion is looking for her tenth America Cup, after signing a 2023 to forget, with more defeats (5) than victories (3), something that has not happened since 1963.
In January he took over the reins of the absolute Dorival Juniorwho so far has a record of two victories against England (0-1) and Mexico (2-3), and two draws against Spain (3-3) and the United States (1-1), in the four friendlies they have played. directed to date.
Colombia with great opportunity
Colombia beat a losing Bolivia 3-0 in the last friendly match and closed its preparation for the Copa América on a high note, which starts on Thursday in the United States.
Guided by Liverpool star Luis Díaz, Colombia is looking strong.
The win confirms Colombia, undefeated for 24 games, as a candidate to surprise the favorites Argentina and Brazil in the continental tournament. The coffee growers will debut in the Cup on June 24 against Paraguay, then they will face Costa Rica and Brazilrivals that complete Group D.
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AP Photo/Fernando Vergara
In addition, having Díaz, Colombia has a sweet treat in store. James Rodríguez is the player in the national team that all clubs would like to have. The midfielder looks unstoppable when he wears the yellow shirt.
“Every game is special, I live it like a dream, I love this shirt like no other. This shirt is something unique and I enjoy every game as if it were the last”Rodríguez assured.
If James Rodríguez is at a high level for Colombia, the coffee growers have great possibilities of delivering several blows.
Paraguay is always a surprise
Paraguay will debut against Colombia on June 24 at 5:00 pm in Houston, Texas. The Albirroja’s performance is not the best and there is a lot of criticism about her game. However, coach Daniel Garnero sees the Copa América as a possibility to start making a team for the Qualifiers.
The Paraguayan National Team played three friendly matches, with a balance of a draw against Peru, a tough defeat against Chile 3-0 and a fair victory against Panama. The redhead had not won in several matches, the last one had been against Bolivia in the Qualifiers.
The Paraguayan National Team is going through a difficult time, the replacement cost them a lot and that was seen not only in the game, but also in the results. In the Qualifiers they are seventh with 5 points after one victory, two draws and three defeats, one of them against Colombia in Asunción. Santos Borré was the author of the only goal.
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AFP / MARTIN BERNETTI
However, Paraguay always arrives with few positive points to be a candidate in a competition, but they never make it easy for the teams.
The times of great figures like Salvador Cabañas and Roque Santa Cruz are behind us, but Newcastle striker Miguel Almirón has the power to emerge as the leader.
Costa Rica and a renovation project
Without its emblem Keylor Navas, Costa Rica will face the challenge of its renewal in the Copa América
The surprising retirement of Navas, the most outstanding goalkeeper in the history of Central American football, leaves the Costa Rican team with a huge void of leadership and experience ahead of the Copa América, where it will face Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay.
Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro suddenly found himself with the retirement of Navas from the national team, which exacerbates the uncertainty of what a group full of young people will be able to offer in the face of the maximum demands in the continental tournament.
Costa Rica is paired in Group D and will debut on June 24 with the Brazil team. Four days later they will face Colombia, and on July 2 they will close their first phase presentation with Paraguay.
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AFP
This will be Costa Rica’s sixth Copa América after competing in 1997, 2001, 2004, 2011 and 2016. Only in the 2001 and 2004 editions did Costa Rica manage to overcome the group stage and in both they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. final.
However, the Ticos do not represent a danger at first glance, after calling themselves a team in full renewal.
