Copa America 2024 Group Stage
30 June, 2024 - Indian Date
Inter&Co Stadium
MATCH TIMES
India
05:30 AM
UAE
04:00 AM
Saudi Arabia
3:00 AM
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Canada possible starting lineup: Crepeau; Johnston, Bombito, Miller, Laryea; Osorio, Eustaquio; Buchanan, David, Davies; Larin
Chile possible starting lineup: Bravo; Isla, Lichnovsky, Diaz, Suazo; Nunez, Pulgar; Osorio, Sanchez, Brereton Diaz; Vargas
Seeking to secure a spot in the 2024 Copa America knockout rounds, Canada, making their tournament debut, will face Chile at the Inter & Co Stadium in Florida on Sunday. Both teams are vying for a place in the quarter-finals and are separated by two points in Group A. This encounter marks their first-ever meeting, both in competitive and non-competitive fixtures.
Canada celebrated a milestone on Wednesday with their inaugural Copa America victory, defeating a 10-man Peru 1-0 under sweltering conditions nearing 100 degrees at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas. The turning point came when Peru's Miguel Araujo was sent off for a dangerous tackle just before the hour mark, which gave Canada the upper hand. Jonathan David, celebrating his 50th cap, scored the winning goal 16 minutes before the end.
Under new head coach Jesse Marsch, Canada struggled initially, failing to win or score in their first three games—friendlies against the Netherlands (4-0) and France (0-0), followed by a 2-0 loss to Argentina. However, the triumph over Peru brought several positives for Marsch and the team. Now second in Group A with three points, a win on Sunday would guarantee Canada a quarter-final berth. Even a draw might suffice, provided Peru does not pull off a major upset against group leaders Argentina.
Canada's victory over Peru was their second against a South American opponent since beating Colombia in the 2000 Gold Cup final. Ranked 48th globally by FIFA, Canada aims to achieve another historic feat against a Chilean team that has yet to impress in this summer's tournament.
Chile, two-time Copa America champions (2015 and 2016), are in danger of missing the knockout stage for the first time since 2004, having garnered only one point from their initial two Group A matches against Peru and Argentina. After a goalless draw with Peru, Chile suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Argentina, with Lautaro Martinez scoring in the 88th minute.
Coach Ricardo Gareca, one of the few to lead teams in five different Copa Americas, expressed the pain of losing late but vowed that his team would give their all in Sunday's crucial match against Canada. Chile sits third in Group A, tied on points with Peru in fourth and trailing second-placed Canada by two points. They need to defeat Canada and hope Peru does not outperform them against Argentina to secure a top-two finish.
In terms of team changes, Canada's win over Peru was influenced by Marsch’s halftime substitutions, with Derek Cornelius, Liam Millar, and Ismael Kone potentially being benched on Sunday. Cornelius might be replaced by Kamal Miller in central defense, while Richie Laryea could retain his spot at left-back, allowing Alphonso Davies to move forward on the left wing. Cyle Larin and Jonathan David, Canada’s top scorers, are expected to lead the attack, with either Tajon Buchanan or Jacob Shaffelburg potentially starting on the right wing instead of Millar.
For Chile, Gareca might tweak his lineup, considering Ben Brereton Diaz to start in attack ahead of either Eduardo Vargas or Victor Davila. Dario Osorio, 20, could keep his position on the right wing, while Alexis Sanchez, Chile's record goalscorer and most capped player, will likely continue in the number 10 role. Midfielder Erick Pulgar, despite being one booking away from suspension, is expected to start alongside either Rodrigo Echeverria or Marcelino Nunez.