Champion Argentina still aims to win when facing Peru in the final match of Group A of Copa America 2024 taking place on the morning of June 30, while Chile and Canada compete to compete for a ticket to the remaining quarterfinals of this group.
Argentine champion ‘strolling’
Copa America champions and reigning world champions Argentina will look to maintain their perfect record in Group A when they face Peru at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida (USA) at 7am on June 30. While La Albiceleste have already secured a ticket to the quarter-finals after two victories, Peru must earn three points if they want to have a chance to continue.
Argentina became the first team to qualify for the 2024 Copa America quarter-finals after defeating Chile 1-0 in the second match. After scoring in La Albiceleste’s 2-0 win over Canada, money Inter Milan director Lautaro Martinez once again shined in the match against Chile with a goal that sealed the decisive victory in the 88th minute.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are assured of a top-two finish in Group A ahead of the final round of matches having picked up six points, and they know that victory over Peru will see them top their Copa America group for the first time since 2016.
Ranked No. 1 on the FIFA rankings, Argentina has lost just two of its last 59 international matches since the summer of 2019 – a surprise 1-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup and a 0- 2 against Uruguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last November.
Since the loss against Uruguay, Lionel Messi and his teammates have won their last 7 matches in all competitions with a total score of 15-2, and they will confidently extend this achievement because they have not lost any matches. none of the previous 16 meetings with Peru.
Meanwhile, Peru is in danger of being eliminated in the Copa America group stage for the first time since 1995 when they only have 1 point after 2 Group A matches with Chile (draw 0-0) and Canada (lose 0-1). . Runner-up in 2019, La Blanquirroja (nicknamed the Peruvian team) is currently at the bottom of the table, equal on points with Chile.
Jorge Fossati’s side know they must beat Argentina and hope Canada and Chile draw in their other game to have any hope of reaching the quarter-finals.
Peru’s attack (team ranked 31st in the world) is the weakest point, failing to score in 8 of the last 12 international matches. They also failed to score any goals in their last 4 meetings with Argentina.
Canada and Chile duel
With the goal of winning the remaining ticket in Group A to the quarterfinals of Copa America 2024, rookie Canada will face Chile at Inter & Co Stadium in Florida (USA) at 7:00 a.m. on June 30. The two teams are 2 points apart, having never faced each other in an official tournament.
Canada made history in the second match by defeating Peru 1-0 to get 3 points after a 0-2 defeat to Argentina in the opening match. Canada failed to win or even score in the first three matches under new coach Jesse Marsch, but there were many positive signs to bring about a historic victory against Peru.
The Reds have climbed to second place in Group A with three points and victory over Chile will secure a place in the quarter-finals. A draw could also be enough to progress as long as Peru do not cause trouble for group leaders Argentina.
Canada’s victory over Peru was only their second victory over a CONMEBOL opponent this century after defeating Colombia in the 2000 Gold Cup final. Canada (ranked team 48 in the world) can write his name in the history books once again with success against an unstable Chile side.
The Chilean team, two-time Copa America champions (2015 and 2016), are in danger of not being able to pass the group stage for the first time since 2004 because they only won 1 point after 2 matches in Group A with Peru. (0-0) and Argentina (lost 0-1).
Coach Ricardo Gareca insists his Chilean team will “go all out” on the pitch in their crucial match against Canada. They are third in Group A, level on points with bottom-placed Peru and two points behind second-placed Canada (Argentina top the group with six points). La Roja (Chile’s nickname) must beat Canada and hope Peru don’t cause a shock upset against Argentina to secure second place in the group.
One of Gareca’s biggest tasks in the showdown with Canada is to bolster his attack, which has yet to score in the tournament this summer, managing just four of his 14 shots on target.
