The oldest international continental football competition, Copa America, is a competition that perfectly captures the essence of football in South America. This esteemed tournament, which was founded in 1916, has hosted some of the most exciting and momentous events in the history of the sport. In contrast to the 16 Euro Championships, the Copa America 2024 constitutes the 48th edition of the competition.
Copa America 2024 is currently underway in the USA, with six CONCACAF guest teams that qualified through the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League playing in the event, which is currently going on in the United States as part of the new strategic collaboration between CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, as announced on January 27, 2023. In addition, the competition serves as a way to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting.
We have witnessed some of the great clashes in American football. We start with 16 teams; now there are only 4 left to capture the grand trophy. Let’s take a look at the two semi-finals set for Copa America 2024.
Argentina vs Canada
The World Champions are looking more than confident to clinch back-to-back Copa America titles, and undoubtedly, they have their best shot. Argentina will face Canada in the first semifinal of the Copa America 2024. The stage will be set in New Jersey at Met Life Stadium on July 9, 2024.
The men in blue and white, led by Lionel Messi, are eager for their third successive international title after the Copa America 2021 and the FIFA World Cup 2022. They have already played their semifinal opponents, Canada, in the first match of Copa America 2024, in which they defeated Canada comfortably by a score of 2-0. While Canada showed some resilience in the first half, in which none of the teams managed to score, a few minutes into the second half, Julian Alvarez scored for the Albiceleste. Then Lurtaru Martinez sealed the victory with the second goal, assisted by Leo Messi.
They got neck-to-neck against Ecuador in the quarterfinals, in which Emiliano Martinez’s excellence kept their hopes alive after Leo Messi’s panenka-style penalty kick from the spot was unfortunate as it ricocheted against the post.
Argentina, who are undefeated in the Copa America 2024, are hoping to make these years the most memorable in their history. Over the past ten years, they have suffered some terrible setbacks, including a World Cup 2014 final loss to Germany and two Copa America final losses to Chile in 2015 and 2016, that led to their captain, Leo Messi, announcing his early retirement.
However, under their coach, Lionel Scaloni, who was hired in 2019, Argentina has only lost twice in the last 59 games they have played since 2019. Under him, they have won everything, Copa America 2021 and the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Canada, on the other hand, somehow managed to get into the last 4 as they lost their first match against Argentina but managed to defeat Peru in the second match of the group stage and get crucial three points, and then a tied match against Chile and took one point from it, booking their spot in the quarterfinals. They faced Venezuela after the match score was 1-1 after 90 minutes. As there is no extra time in Copa America, direct penalties lead to direct drama. Canada got their most important win in the penalty shootout by 4-3.
Uruguay vs Colombia
The other semifinal of Copa America 2024 seems more exciting than the first one, as the two South American giants are facing each other to play the final against Argentina or Canada. Leo Messi and his teammates may have planned to watch this match more closely, as it will be their last stone to remove from their way to defend their title if they beat Canada in the first semifinal, which they have already done in this campaign.
Both teams have topped their groups in the first round. Uruguay got a perfect 9 in the group stage and managed to beat Panama, Bolivia, and the USA in their group stage matches. They have faced one of the favorites and the most successful team in football history with 5 world cups, Brazil, but by penalties they got into the semis and will play another force, Colombia.
Colombia, who defeated Uruguay in the penalties when they faced each other in the quarterfinals of the last Copa America 2021, It’s now time for the semifinal clash. Colombia comfortably beaten Panama in the quarterfinal by 5-0, looking sharp against Uruguay for the semis.
This game will feature some of the great talents from South America who are enjoying reputable careers with their clubs as well. Darvin Nunez, a Liverpool striker, had already scored two goals in the Copa America 2024 and is looking for more with two potential games remaining in the tournament. Luiz Suarez, who had featured in two matches as a substitute, can be an experience key for Uruguay. Araújo and Valverde, the extreme rivals, who have faced many times in El Clasico but are partners in Uruguay, will showcase their talents in defense and midfield.
On the other hand, Colombia is not short in quality; coached by Néstor Lorenzo and captained by James Rodriguez—who made waves at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil by scoring the goal of the tournament against Uruguay—the team may work some magic once more. Luiz Diaz, a well-known player for Liverpool in the Premier League, will also showcase his midfield skills.
Conclusion
With two big clashes on the line, in the Euro 2024, Spain and France will battle for survival, whereas in the Copa America 2024, it is world no. 1, Argentina vs. Canada. The next day, it will be England against the Dutch, and Uruguay will play Colombia. Football fans around the globe are enthusiastic to watch these nail-biting matches. Let’s see who will become the kings of both continents and get a chance to play potential Finalissima in the upcoming years.
