Copa América kicks off in Chile
Copa América kicks off in Chile
South America's most prestigious international tournament kicks off on the 11th of June. For the next three weeks, 12 nations will be in Chile fighting to become Copa America Champions 2015. This year's competition has the biggest group of English-based players ever and three-quarters of the teams have Premier League players. In this article, we take a closer look at the Copa America and some of the players who will be there.
Who plays in the Copa America?
The Copa America is the oldest continental tournament in world football and was first played in 1916, when only four teams (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile) took part. This year's competition has 12 teams. Traditionally, all of the teams have come from South America, but the South American Football Association often invite countries from other regions to take part. In this year's competition, Mexico and Jamaica have been invited and will play with 10 of the biggest nations in South American football.
Who is the most successful team?
Brazil have won the trophy 8 times and Argentina have won it 14 times, but surprisingly it's Uruguay who have won the trophy the most times. Uruguay are the competition holders, as they beat Argentina 3-0 in the 2011 final to win the competition for a record 15th time. It will be more difficult for them this time, their star player, ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, is suspended.
Who will win group A?
Chile |
Mexico |
Ecuador |
Bolivia |
Chile are the hosts and many people's dark horse to win the trophy for the first time. With Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez in Chile's attack, fresh from a fantastic first Premier League season, they have a player who can make a difference. With the home crowd behind them, Chile will be expected to finish top of this group. If Chile are the favourites, it will be close to see which team finishes second and third (the 2 best third-placed teams also qualify for the quarter finals). Manchester United's Antonio Valencia will miss the competition because of an ankle injury, but his namesake, West Ham's Enner Valencia, will hope to score the goals to help Ecuador qualify.
Who's going to win Group B?
Argentina |
Uruguay |
Paraguay |
Jamaica |
Argentina are many people's favourites to win the tournament, so they must be favourites to finish top of this group. Argentina have chosen 7 Premier League players and will hope that Manchester Utd's Angel Di Maria and Tottenham's Erik Lamela can provide the assists for Manchester City's Sergio Aguero to score the goals. At the same time, Argentinian fans will hope that Man City's Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis will keep clean sheets at the back. The rest of the group may be chasing second place. Two Premier League centre-backs, Everton's Antolin Alcaraz and Sunderland's Sebastian Coates, may have a difficult time against Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero. Jamaica are the underdogs in the group and are playing in the competition for the first time.
Who will win Group C?
Brazil |
Colombia |
Peru |
Venezuela |
Brazil are probably the favourites in this group, but Colombia are sure to challenge at the top of the table. Brazil will be looking to bounce back from the humiliation of the 7-1 defeat to Germany in last year's World Cup. Colombia, however, will be looking for revenge after Brazil beat them in the quarter-finals last year. With Radamel Falcao back in the Colombia team, and looking to forget a disappointing season with Manchester Utd, maybe Colombia can beat Brazil in a competitive match for the first time in over 20 years! Peru and Venezuela are the underdogs in this group, but they will be looking to spring a suprise in the first round of matches, when Peru play Brazil and Venezuela play Colombia.
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What do you think?
What are your predictions for the Copa America?
Will Chile win the trophy for the first time? Will Argentina win to equal Uruguay's record of 15 wins?
Who is going to be the player of the tournament?
Leave a message in the comments section below.
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Comments
14/05/2022
points
Phrases
My name is common in the muslim countries so it's not difficult to find a namesake person.
Note
As far as I know except a few of them national teams that have many players who plays abroad usually aren't successful in the tournaments like this .
14/05/2022 16:33
Tottenham Hotspur
5557
Phrases
My name is common in the muslim countries so it's not difficult to find a namesake person.
Note
As far as I know except a few of them national teams that have many players who plays abroad usually aren't successful in the tournaments like this .
25/03/2021
points
My predictions at that range was Brazil and Argentina as favourites. But Chile won the trophy for the first time. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, from Chile, was nominated the best player of the tournament.
25/03/2021 16:52
Arsenal
1512
My predictions at that range was Brazil and Argentina as favourites. But Chile won the trophy for the first time. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, from Chile, was nominated the best player of the tournament.
23/09/2020
points
I thought that Argentina could win the Copa and I think that Arturo’s Vidal performance was so good. He was the MVP’s tournament.
23/09/2020 03:58
Liverpool
99
I thought that Argentina could win the Copa and I think that Arturo’s Vidal performance was so good. He was the MVP’s tournament.
07/07/2020
points
Always the predictions are for Brazil and Argentina.
Chile won it on penalties as far as I remember and it was an exceptional tournament for Alexis Sanchez and his teammates.
Alexis Sanchez as I predicted as he was on fire.
07/07/2020 13:27
Manchester United
6536
Always the predictions are for Brazil and Argentina.
Chile won it on penalties as far as I remember and it was an exceptional tournament for Alexis Sanchez and his teammates.
Alexis Sanchez as I predicted as he was on fire.
01/07/2020
points
Ok
01/07/2020 03:06
Newcastle United
1505
Ok
27/11/2019
points
Yes he can
27/11/2019 18:59
Wolverhampton Wanderers
435
Yes he can
22/11/2019
points
This tournament has also finished. There's no need to make predictions.
22/11/2019 22:22
Liverpool
581
This tournament has also finished. There's no need to make predictions.
11/11/2016
points
Chile won
11/11/2016 12:03
Hull City AFC
372
Chile won
02/07/2016
points
Chile won it for the first time and repeated it the 2nd time
02/07/2016 11:55
Manchester United
4779
Chile won it for the first time and repeated it the 2nd time
02/07/2016
points
Chile won the competition
02/07/2016 11:54
Manchester United
4779
Chile won the competition
08/03/2016
points
Sorry i meant Uraguay not Chili.
08/03/2016 11:35
Liverpool
3705
Sorry i meant Uraguay not Chili.
05/03/2016
points
In 2011 Chili won Paraguay 3-0 not Argentina.
05/03/2016 13:37
Liverpool
3705
In 2011 Chili won Paraguay 3-0 not Argentina.
05/03/2016
points
Chilie deserved the cup they played pretty well.
05/03/2016 13:35
Liverpool
3705
Chilie deserved the cup they played pretty well.
13/12/2015
points
Chile made a breakthrough on the Mondial in Brazil. And on the Copa America they can show only the very best. Fans go crazy and the choreographies are amazing as always. I love this competition.
13/12/2015 19:41
Arsenal
3557
Chile made a breakthrough on the Mondial in Brazil. And on the Copa America they can show only the very best. Fans go crazy and the choreographies are amazing as always. I love this competition.
22/11/2015
points
Sanchez was the player of tournament
22/11/2015 12:11
Arsenal
2320
Sanchez was the player of tournament
28/10/2015
points
WOW
28/10/2015 23:34
Chelsea
1339
WOW
27/10/2015
points
Uruguay, small country- big players!
27/10/2015 00:00
Arsenal
3557
Uruguay, small country- big players!
18/10/2015
points
I believe in Argentine or Chile.
18/10/2015 02:26
Chelsea
1339
I believe in Argentine or Chile.
28/09/2015
points
Yes Chile
28/09/2015 02:18
Manchester United
1308
Yes Chile
22/09/2015
points
Let's go!
22/09/2015 14:21
Manchester United
437
Let's go!