International football continues to deliver, and the Copa América returns as face and battle in the semi-finals.
Here are four big questions ahead of the expected theatrics.
Can Messi reach one last final with Argentina?
He’s won the Copa América, and he’s won the World Cup. So what does another final mean for Lionel Messi? Well, it could mean more than you think.
We haven’t seen the best football from the Inter Miami star during the tournament. Even with the alien-like talents he hones and his influence off the ball, the poor statistics speak for themselves.
Zero goals, one assist and a missed penalty so far are all the evidence you need to know that Messi’s eventual retirement looms. The beginning of a natural ending to a remarkable career. It, therefore, makes this semi-final that much sweeter.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner previously admitted the 2022 World Cup was his last. This means a second consecutive Copa América final this summer could be his last chance to lift another trophy with Argentina.
The captain’s influence on his teammates mirrors that of a God. If he can’t do it all himself this time, , , and others will take it upon themselves to deliver for the captain they adore. As they’ve done already.
What a scene it would be for Argentina to say ‘Thank you, Messi’ by handing him one last shot at international glory by beating Canada.
Argentina have reached the semi-finals at seven of their last eight major tournaments and won their last 10 matches against CONCACAF opponents, never conceding a goal.
Can Canada pull off the upset of the century?
It’s hard to summarize what Canada’s qualification for the Copa América semi-finals means for the country. Challenges welcomed, landmark goals and historic upsets, a new day has come.
Manager Jesse Marsch has only been in charge for six games, meaning he’s still yet to fully grasp who this squad is and what they can do. However, he’s already led Canada to history. They are the fourth CONCACAF team to reach the semi-finals and the third to do it on their debut.
The Canucks showed the football world there is nothing they fear. They went toe-to-toe with holders Argentina in the Copa América opener and now face the World Cup champions again with a blueprint on what to expect.
It required grit, mental fortitude, and, most importantly, belief for the Canadians to get here. They are expected to kick things up a notch with the final on the line.
Since Qatar 2022, Canada have revealed themselves one star at a time. Recently named captain is embracing a new weight of responsibility, emerged as a clutch performer on the international stage and goalkeeper has all but stood on his head to make stunning saves.
They haven’t given up on their faith inside the locker room and, according to Marsch, are an incredibly tight-knit unit even after winger broke his leg mid-tournament.
They’ve set the country’s heart on fire—and long will it burn if they can pull off the upset of the century.
What happens to Colombia if you isolate James Rodriguez?
As the conductor of arguably the most convincing team in the tournament, Uruguay must prioritize stopping James Rodriguez’s magic in midfield.
No side has been able to do so when facing Colombia, and the captain has subsequently taken the Copa América stage and made it the platform to reinvent himself.
The São Paulo ace has struggled at the club level, but this summer, he became a confident, creative artist with the ball at his feet for the national team.
Rodriguez has played eight games for Colombia in 2024 and eight with the Brazilian club across all competitions. The difference? He’s registered more assists, more shots and received more fouls on the international stage.
His one goal and five assists so far match Lionel Messi in the 2011 tournament edition, and he currently leads the charts for most chances created (14).
So, what happens to Colombia if you take the linchpin out of the equation? As we’ve seen, Luis Diaz, Richard Rios and Davinson Sanchez can all deliver. They’ll be expected to perform at a higher level as Uruguay must isolate Rodriguez.
With their staggering 27-game unbeaten run on the line and eyes set on the final, Colombia need every star firing.
Can Uruguay survive their toughest test yet?
During the Copa América group stage, Uruguay emerged as one of the most well-rounded teams in the tournament.
With a perfect winning run and a leading nine goals scored compared to just one conceded, the ‘Favourites’ title was theirs. Until they faced a tough opponent.
Scrappy certainly defines the battle with in the quarter-finals. It was an awful 90 minutes of choppy, foul-littered action that was hard to digest. The match finished with a staggering 41 fouls, including sent off for a dangerous challenge on .
Interestingly, this type of performance occurred against Uruguay’s hardest opponent. Bolivia, , and the United States were comparatively brushed aside.
While largely a shadow of the powerhouse we know them to be, Brazil still successfully stifled Uruguay’s influence on the game. So what does it say about Marcelo Bielsa’s men if they had to resort to such a style only to eventually scrape by on penalties?
Doing just enough won’t be the answer against a free-flowing Colombian side in the semi-finals. It’s time for Fede Valverde, Darwin Nunez, Manuel Ugarte, and others to unlock a new level of quality in order to reach the final and potentially win it all.