We've had three of our continental championships. The first two provided the finals we expected, with USA & Mexico meeting in North America, and Australia & New Zealand battling in Oceania, with the former team winning in each case. However, our last tournament - the African Championship - saw plenty of spills, with Nigeria claiming the trophy after overcoming Ivory Coast in the final.
So now we move on, and we have the South American Championship starting today. In real life, the Copa America features two non-South American teams, but since each team is competing in their own continental championship, we have stuck with just the 10 South American teams for this.
They are drawn into two groups of 5:
So now we move on, and we have the South American Championship starting today. In real life, the Copa America features two non-South American teams, but since each team is competing in their own continental championship, we have stuck with just the 10 South American teams for this.
They are drawn into two groups of 5:
The top 4 in each group progressing. Whilst that means there's scope for dead rubbers as teams should qualify with games to spare, they will be battling for easier draws in the quarter-finals. Today we are covering all the matches in these groups.
Group A (Brazil, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador)
On balance, this looks the tougher of the two groups. Brazil are the stand-out team in South America, having reached the DWC final two years ago and the semi-final last year. Furthermore, they won the South American qualifying for this year's event by a whopping 14 points. Chile are a strong team, too, the only South American side to qualify for every DWC. Bolivia qualified for the first time this year via the play-offs, whilst Peru and Ecuador may have missed out, but they both challenged strongly at times.
Matchday 1
The group started with a bang, as Jorge Pereyra Díaz fired Bolivia ahead against Brazil. The favourites levelled after Felipe Luíz's solo run and shot lead to an easy rebound tap-in for Gabriel Barbosa, but Bolivia retook the lead as Mauricio Prieto poked in following a mad goalmouth scramble and they held on for a great victory. In the other game, Esteban Paredes headed Chile into a 4th-minute lead against Peru, and Julio Barroso doubled the lead less than 10 minutes later. Emanuel Herrera scored past namesake Johnny to pull one back, but this was in second half stoppage time and wasn't enough to stop Chile winning 2-1.
Matchday 2
Brazil swiftly shook off that opening defeat as Gabriel Barbosa scored both in a 2-0 win over Ecuador. Elsewhere, Bolivia once again started with a goal, as Lucas Mugni lashed in from outside the box against Peru. But they were again pegged back, as Christian Ramos headed in from a free kick. Again, they swiftly retook the lead, as Pereyra Díaz headed in. However, this time they didn't hold out for a 2-1 win, as Alejandro Hohberg levelled for Peru, before crossing for Horacio Calcaterra to complete the turnaround - all within the first half hour. Irven Avila - who starred for Peru in the 2017 DWC - lashed in another late on as Peru completed a 4-2 win.
Group A (Brazil, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador)
On balance, this looks the tougher of the two groups. Brazil are the stand-out team in South America, having reached the DWC final two years ago and the semi-final last year. Furthermore, they won the South American qualifying for this year's event by a whopping 14 points. Chile are a strong team, too, the only South American side to qualify for every DWC. Bolivia qualified for the first time this year via the play-offs, whilst Peru and Ecuador may have missed out, but they both challenged strongly at times.
Matchday 1
The group started with a bang, as Jorge Pereyra Díaz fired Bolivia ahead against Brazil. The favourites levelled after Felipe Luíz's solo run and shot lead to an easy rebound tap-in for Gabriel Barbosa, but Bolivia retook the lead as Mauricio Prieto poked in following a mad goalmouth scramble and they held on for a great victory. In the other game, Esteban Paredes headed Chile into a 4th-minute lead against Peru, and Julio Barroso doubled the lead less than 10 minutes later. Emanuel Herrera scored past namesake Johnny to pull one back, but this was in second half stoppage time and wasn't enough to stop Chile winning 2-1.
Matchday 2
Brazil swiftly shook off that opening defeat as Gabriel Barbosa scored both in a 2-0 win over Ecuador. Elsewhere, Bolivia once again started with a goal, as Lucas Mugni lashed in from outside the box against Peru. But they were again pegged back, as Christian Ramos headed in from a free kick. Again, they swiftly retook the lead, as Pereyra Díaz headed in. However, this time they didn't hold out for a 2-1 win, as Alejandro Hohberg levelled for Peru, before crossing for Horacio Calcaterra to complete the turnaround - all within the first half hour. Irven Avila - who starred for Peru in the 2017 DWC - lashed in another late on as Peru completed a 4-2 win.
Matchday 3
This left Ecuador as the only side without a win, and they duly caught up to the rest as they beat 10-man Peru 2-0, with two Cristians on the scoresheet - Martínez Borja and Pellerano. Meanwhile, Bolivia and Chile traded penalties in a 1-1 draw, Paredes and Juan Carlos Arce on target.
Matchday 4
Chile scored in the 2nd minute against Ecuador, through Barroso, and looked to be holding out for victory until Jhon Cifuente fired home in the 91st minute. But the real entertainment came in the game between Peru and Brazil. Herrera headed Peru ahead, but Everton spectacularly equalised with a volley. Geromel scored a scruffy goal to edge Brazil into the lead, any Dani Alves put away a penalty to double the advantage midway through the second half. Herrera pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, heading in from Alberto Quintero's excellent cross, and another pinpoint Quintero cross allowed Bernardo Cuesta to dramatically earn Peru a point with a 3-3 draw!
This left Ecuador as the only side without a win, and they duly caught up to the rest as they beat 10-man Peru 2-0, with two Cristians on the scoresheet - Martínez Borja and Pellerano. Meanwhile, Bolivia and Chile traded penalties in a 1-1 draw, Paredes and Juan Carlos Arce on target.
Matchday 4
Chile scored in the 2nd minute against Ecuador, through Barroso, and looked to be holding out for victory until Jhon Cifuente fired home in the 91st minute. But the real entertainment came in the game between Peru and Brazil. Herrera headed Peru ahead, but Everton spectacularly equalised with a volley. Geromel scored a scruffy goal to edge Brazil into the lead, any Dani Alves put away a penalty to double the advantage midway through the second half. Herrera pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, heading in from Alberto Quintero's excellent cross, and another pinpoint Quintero cross allowed Bernardo Cuesta to dramatically earn Peru a point with a 3-3 draw!
Spectacularly, this meant all five teams were within a point of each other; Chile on 5 points, and the rest of 4. With Peru already played all of their games, it means Chile are safe, but anyone else could be eliminated in the final round of games, how exciting!
Matchday 5
Gabriel Barbosa continued to live up to his Gabigol nickname by notching after 46 seconds against Chile. He had another just before half time, and completed his hat trick on the hour mark. Giorgian de Arrascaeta added a fourth from a free kick to put Brazil through in impressive fashion. This meant that as Bolivia and Ecuador met, the loser would be eliminated, unless it was a draw and then Peru would go out. Unsurprisingly, this was a tight and tense game. Luckily for Peru, there was just one goal in it, and it was Bolivia's, as Arce scored a second half penalty. This sees Ecuador out on goals scored - what a tight group!
Matchday 5
Gabriel Barbosa continued to live up to his Gabigol nickname by notching after 46 seconds against Chile. He had another just before half time, and completed his hat trick on the hour mark. Giorgian de Arrascaeta added a fourth from a free kick to put Brazil through in impressive fashion. This meant that as Bolivia and Ecuador met, the loser would be eliminated, unless it was a draw and then Peru would go out. Unsurprisingly, this was a tight and tense game. Luckily for Peru, there was just one goal in it, and it was Bolivia's, as Arce scored a second half penalty. This sees Ecuador out on goals scored - what a tight group!
Group B (Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Uruguay)
Argentina and Colombia would expected to get through this group, with both securing automatic DWC qualification this year to add to two previous appearances. Venezuela and Uruguay have also both qualified twice before, although a horrendous campaign this year sees Uruguay the lowest South American team in the rankings. Paraguay, meanwhile, have never impressed in DWC qualifying, although only finished 2 points away from qualification this year.
Matchday 1
Just as Brazil had slipped to an opening-day defeat, it looked like Argentina would suffer the same as they fell two behind against Colombia, courtesy of Mati Fernández's stunning solo goal and Hernán Barcos' rebound. However, Fernández's red card opened the door for Argentina and they got one back as Lisandro López's thunderous effort hit bar & post before being deflected in by Julián Quinónes for an own goal. And they completed the comeback as through Lisandro's header as they earned a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Paraguay scored in both periods of added time to beat Venezuela 2-0 - Federico Carrizo scoring a delicious long-range volley and Roberto Ovelar finishing off a counter-attack.
Argentina and Colombia would expected to get through this group, with both securing automatic DWC qualification this year to add to two previous appearances. Venezuela and Uruguay have also both qualified twice before, although a horrendous campaign this year sees Uruguay the lowest South American team in the rankings. Paraguay, meanwhile, have never impressed in DWC qualifying, although only finished 2 points away from qualification this year.
Matchday 1
Just as Brazil had slipped to an opening-day defeat, it looked like Argentina would suffer the same as they fell two behind against Colombia, courtesy of Mati Fernández's stunning solo goal and Hernán Barcos' rebound. However, Fernández's red card opened the door for Argentina and they got one back as Lisandro López's thunderous effort hit bar & post before being deflected in by Julián Quinónes for an own goal. And they completed the comeback as through Lisandro's header as they earned a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Paraguay scored in both periods of added time to beat Venezuela 2-0 - Federico Carrizo scoring a delicious long-range volley and Roberto Ovelar finishing off a counter-attack.
Matchday 2
Paraguay made it two wins from two, as Alejandro Silva's penalty was enough to beat Colombia 1-0. Elsewhere, Uruguay were the final team to start their campaign as they took on Venezuela. They didn't start well, as Oscar Sainz headed Venezuela ahead and Uruguay lost Gonzalo Bergessio to a red card, all within the first 15 minutes. From there, Venezuela cruised to victory, as Zamir Valoyes added a second half brace.
Matchday 3
Paraguay's form was set to be given a firm test as they took on Argentina. And it was a bridge too far, as headers from Eduardo Salvio's and Lisandro López (the centre back, not the aforementioned striker) earned Argentina a 2-0 win. Meanwhile, Uruguay looked to bounce back from defeat as they took on Colombia. Federico Martínez put them ahead, but again they handicapped themselves by going down to 10 men, this time Cristian Rodríguez seeing red in the 34th minute. And Colombia immediately punished them as Andrés Pérez's shot had too much on it for Kevin Dawson. However, Colombia couldn't find a winner and Uruguay got their first point with a 1-1 draw.
Paraguay made it two wins from two, as Alejandro Silva's penalty was enough to beat Colombia 1-0. Elsewhere, Uruguay were the final team to start their campaign as they took on Venezuela. They didn't start well, as Oscar Sainz headed Venezuela ahead and Uruguay lost Gonzalo Bergessio to a red card, all within the first 15 minutes. From there, Venezuela cruised to victory, as Zamir Valoyes added a second half brace.
Matchday 3
Paraguay's form was set to be given a firm test as they took on Argentina. And it was a bridge too far, as headers from Eduardo Salvio's and Lisandro López (the centre back, not the aforementioned striker) earned Argentina a 2-0 win. Meanwhile, Uruguay looked to bounce back from defeat as they took on Colombia. Federico Martínez put them ahead, but again they handicapped themselves by going down to 10 men, this time Cristian Rodríguez seeing red in the 34th minute. And Colombia immediately punished them as Andrés Pérez's shot had too much on it for Kevin Dawson. However, Colombia couldn't find a winner and Uruguay got their first point with a 1-1 draw.
Matchday 4
Argentina took on Uruguay with a chance to qualify for the next round and go top of the group with a win. Nicolás Domínguez put Argentina into the lead, and Lucas Pratto made it two just before half time. Juan Fernando Quintero added to Uruguayan misery with a free kick, and Ángel Romero's header completed a 4-0 rout. This result also put Paraguay through, and meant that whoever won between Colombia and Venezuela would join them. Colombia got the only goal of the first half through Germán Cano. They saw it out in the second half, as Barcos and Cano added one each to earn progression with a 3-0 win.
So, with one game to go Venezuela can get through if they beat Argentina. If not, Uruguay can sneak through by beating Paraguay.
Matchday 5
Argentina performed to expectation and beat Venezuela 2-0, with goals in each half from Salvio and Lisandro (the striker). Which meant it was all down to whether Uruguay could beat Paraguay. It didn't start well, as Cristian Rodríguez's poor tournament continued with a baffling own goal to put Paraguay ahead. Lucas Viatri's fine effort from the edge of the box levelled things, but Paraguay edged ahead again as Ovelar ghosted into the box to put away a loose ball. However, just after half time Miguel Samudio picked up a second yellow, putting Paraguay down to 10 men. Uruguay controlled the second half, but couldn't find the goals they needed, and Paraguay hung on for a 2-1 win which confirms Venezuela through at the expense of Uruguay.
Argentina took on Uruguay with a chance to qualify for the next round and go top of the group with a win. Nicolás Domínguez put Argentina into the lead, and Lucas Pratto made it two just before half time. Juan Fernando Quintero added to Uruguayan misery with a free kick, and Ángel Romero's header completed a 4-0 rout. This result also put Paraguay through, and meant that whoever won between Colombia and Venezuela would join them. Colombia got the only goal of the first half through Germán Cano. They saw it out in the second half, as Barcos and Cano added one each to earn progression with a 3-0 win.
So, with one game to go Venezuela can get through if they beat Argentina. If not, Uruguay can sneak through by beating Paraguay.
Matchday 5
Argentina performed to expectation and beat Venezuela 2-0, with goals in each half from Salvio and Lisandro (the striker). Which meant it was all down to whether Uruguay could beat Paraguay. It didn't start well, as Cristian Rodríguez's poor tournament continued with a baffling own goal to put Paraguay ahead. Lucas Viatri's fine effort from the edge of the box levelled things, but Paraguay edged ahead again as Ovelar ghosted into the box to put away a loose ball. However, just after half time Miguel Samudio picked up a second yellow, putting Paraguay down to 10 men. Uruguay controlled the second half, but couldn't find the goals they needed, and Paraguay hung on for a 2-1 win which confirms Venezuela through at the expense of Uruguay.
That second group was far less dramatic than Group A, but it still went down right to the wire. Eight teams are through to the knockout stages, which we will cover in full next time!