2019 Copa America

Oat23 · 21-06-2019 1:11am

Can't believe they didn't at the very least tell the ref to go take a look at that tackle in the box.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-06-2019 1:17am

End to end chances again. Miyoshi and Cavani. Japan have been a welcome addition to the tournament.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-06-2019 1:20am

2-1! Miyoshi again. Muslera poor there.

Think this is only Miyoshi's second cap and he's got two goals.

~Rebel~ · 21-06-2019 1:21am

Fair play to Japan! Playing some lovely stuff in the final third, putting on real pressure, and putting away a great move. No fear in them.

~Rebel~ · 21-06-2019 1:24am

Lovely take and strike from Suarez there, and good save!

Oat23 · 21-06-2019 1:28am

Great header. Inch perfect.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-06-2019 1:28am

2-2. Gimenez with the nice header. Japan seemed to be stunned since they went in front.

~Rebel~ · 21-06-2019 1:28am

Great game, pure chaos with plenty of class too.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-06-2019 1:41am

Suarez unlucky. That was a great header.

~Rebel~ · 21-06-2019 1:49am

Even without the explosive pace he used to have, Suarez is still just brilliant. Some of the little moments of technique mixed with sheer force of will are unreal. That take in the box a min ago was fantastic, using his strength to reach a ball he had no right to, while at exactly the same time cushioning it delicately down right where he wanted it. It's a combo he pulls off all the time, but I can't really think of anyone else around who plays like him. Really, you're going back to the likes of Maradona and Dalglish, each fond of a touch of pure class while also making the most of their arses.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-06-2019 1:59am

Ends 2-2 which I think is a fair outcome. Enjoyable game. Credit to Japan for managing two goals as it's been a few games since Uruguay even conceded at all.

ERG89 · 21-06-2019 11:06am

Is it harsh to say that's an incredibly bad result for Uruguay considering how inexperienced most of that Japanese side are.
I was looking at Colombia vs Qatar and thought much the same in terms of the standard; that it's no wonder the South American teams did f**k all at the last world cup looking at the quality on the pitch & not whats on paper.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-06-2019 11:47pm

Ecuador vs Chile kicks off at midnight with Ecuador looking to get their first points of the group. A Chile win moves them top.

Ecuador XI: Dominguez; Velasco, Achilier, Arboleda, Ramirez; Gruezo, Mendez, Orejeuela; Mena, Valencia, Ibarra.

Chile XI: Arias; Isla, Medel, Maripan, Beausejour; Pulgar, Aranguiz, Vidal; Fuenzalida, Alexis Sanchez, Vargas.

Ecuador have made 6 changes. No surprises with the Chile team. I'll say a Chile win by two goals.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 12:09am

Lovely strike from Fuenzalida in off the post to give Chile the lead.

1-1. Ecuador equalise via Enner Valencia from the penalty spot. Chile shoot themselves in the foot.

More VAR drama as Chile keeper Arias gets a yellow after a long review for fouling outside his area. I didn't think it was a foul. Good point by the commentator after numerous replays, "if they're having to analyse it this long then surely it's not a clear and obvious error?" This is the issue I have with how it's being implemented.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-06-2019 12:47am

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Lovely strike from Fuenzalida in off the post to give Chile the lead.

1-1. Ecuador equalise via Enner Valencia from the penalty spot. Chile shoot themselves in the foot.

More VAR drama as Chile keeper Arias gets a yellow after a long review for fouling outside his area. I didn't think it was a foul. Good point by the commentator after numerous replays, "if they're having to analyse it this long then surely it's not a clear and obvious error?" This is the issue I have with how it's being implemented.

I thought it was only supposed to be used for penalties, goals and red cards?

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 12:51am

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

I thought it was only supposed to be used for penalties, goals and red cards?

Not sure what the instruction is tbh. I keep hearing 'clear and obvious errors' being mentioned by commentators yet they often seem to be reviewing very marginal incidents which don't look clear or obvious.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 1:26am

2-1 Chile via Alexis Sanchez with a little under half an hour remaining. Didn't look like he got the connection he wanted but it beat the keeper.

Ecuador down to ten men. Defender Achilier sent off for an elbow on Vidal. Two reds in two games for them.

Full-Time. Reigning champs Chile win 2-1 and advance to the quarter-finals. Aranguiz and Pulgar played well. They'll meet Uruguay next to determine who tops the group. Ecuador not up to it really and lack quality.

764dak · 22-06-2019 6:54pm

I think this might be the first Copa America where the final group games are played at the same time.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 7:26pm

Wish it all wasn't on at the same time. There's also African Cup of Nations, U-21 Euros and the Women's World Cup all on this evening as well!

My plan is to watch one of the Euros games and Peru vs Brazil on the app. Teams:

Peru XI: Gallese; Advincula, Araujo, Abram, Trauco; Tapia; Polo, Cueva, Yotun, Farfan; Guerrero.

Brazil XI: Alisson; D. Alves, Marquinhos, T. Silva, F. Luis; Arthur, Casemiro; Jesus, Coutinho, Everton; Firmino.

Group as it stands:

Brazil - 4 pts
Peru - 4 pts
Venezuela - 2 pts
Bolivia - 0 pts

Venezuela expected to beat Bolivia to see them through. I think Brazil will advance even if they finish third as they'd be one of the better third-placed teams. Would take an unlikely set of results to see them eliminated. Fancy them to win this evening and top the group. Hopefully it's an attacking game.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 8:13pm

Casemiro gives Brazil the lead. Scruffy goal from a set-piece.

Firmino makes it 2-0 after a howler from the keeper. Good pressure from Firmino. Tough for Peru now.

3-0 Brazil. Everton with a nice low strike but think the keeper again could do better. Don't think he's focused atm.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 9:14pm

That was a nice Brazil move to make it 4-0. Dani Alves with the finish. Game over now.

Mr.Nice Guy · 22-06-2019 9:50pm

Willian with a wonderful strike to make it 5-0.

Peru keeper Gallese, who has had a horror show, gives away a pen by fouling Jesus but then redeems himself somewhat by saving from him.

Full-Time and it ends 5-0. Brazil look like they're approaching their top form now. They top the group. Venezuela second after beating Bolivia 3-1. Peru have to rely on getting through via 3rd place.

Mr.Nice Guy · 23-06-2019 7:20pm

Argentina vs Qatar coming up at 8pm. Argentina need to win to keep their hopes of progressing alive or they'll face an embarrassing early exit.

Argentina XI: Armani; Saravia, Foyth, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, Aguero, Martinez.

Qatar XI: Al Sheeb; Al-Rawi, Khoukhi, Salman; Ro-Ro, Al Haidos, Al Hajri, Hatem, Boudiaf; Afif; Ali.

Tottenham's Foyth comes into the starting XI. Aguero back as a starter too.

Looks a better Argentina team. Qatar have been stubborn and combative but surely Argentina can get the win.

Agent Coulson · 23-06-2019 7:40pm

It will be quiet funny if Qatar knock Messi out of the Copa.

Exclamation Marc · 23-06-2019 7:45pm

Agent Coulson wrote: »

It will be quiet funny if Qatar knock Messi out of the Copa.

Argentina are in such a bad state that it wouldn't even be a huge shock for anyone who follows their form.

Mr.Nice Guy · 23-06-2019 8:05pm

Lautaro Martinez opens the scoring early after a defensive howler. That should ease some of the nerves.

ERG89 · 23-06-2019 8:05pm

Dumpster fire play by Qatar for Martinez to open the scoring. Took it well mind

~Rebel~ · 23-06-2019 8:18pm

funny that the emptiest part of the stadium is the part the camera looks straight at. Weird choice in however they distributed the tickets... would’ve thought those would be the ones they’d make sure were full.

764dak · 23-06-2019 8:58pm

It would be funny if Qatar draws this game and Argentina finishes last on goal difference.

TheCitizen · 23-06-2019 9:15pm

Argentina making heavy work of this. Amazing that they simply can't get it together with a manager who can get basics right in their team.

At the end of the first half Qatar had a free kick which was poorly hit but the Argentinian wall fell apart and the ball ended up striking the post.

Exclamation Marc · 23-06-2019 9:35pm

Finally we see some Dyabala.

Mr.Nice Guy · 23-06-2019 9:41pm

Aguero has arrived! 2-0. Game over. Not been his best game but he took that well.

Exclamation Marc · 23-06-2019 9:41pm

Great goal Aguero.

ERG89 · 23-06-2019 9:42pm

Got the second. Don't know who their quarter final opponent may be but I'd be hard pressed to make Argentina favourites against too many of the teams in it.

Exclamation Marc · 23-06-2019 9:44pm

ERG89 wrote: »

Got the second. Don't know who their quarter final opponent may be but I'd be hard pressed to make Argentina favourites against too many of the teams in it.

They'll face Venezuela with likely Brazil waiting in the semi final.

Mr.Nice Guy · 23-06-2019 9:59pm

Pleased Argentina go on but think they could be on the end of a footballing lesson if they meet Brazil. I don't think they have the intensity to cope with them. Would likely require some Messi or Aguero brilliance to have a chance.

Mr.Nice Guy · 24-06-2019 11:22pm

Interesting match tonight at midnight as Chile face Uruguay. Winner takes top spot.

Chile XI: Arias; Medel, Jara, Maripan; Pulgar; Diaz, Opazo, Aranguiz, Hernandez; Sanchez, Vargas.

Uruguay XI: Muslera; Gonzalez, Jimenez, Godin, Caceres; Valverde, Betancur; De Arrascaeta, Lodeiro; Cavani, Suarez.

Hopefully a few goals in this. Japan taking on Ecuador in the other game as they both look to progress.

~Rebel~ · 25-06-2019 12:09am

Chile starting like a house on fire! Very high paced stuff, wonder if they can keep it up.

<edit> this is mad stuff, feels like i'm watching it on fast-forward!

Mr.Nice Guy · 25-06-2019 12:15am

Surprised it's been so one-sided. Uruguay haven't turned up yet.

~Rebel~ · 25-06-2019 12:17am

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Surprised it's been so one-sided. Uruguay haven't turned up yet.

Reckon it has to settle down after 25 minutes or so... if Uruguay can keep things tight till then, they'll be alright I think.

Mr.Nice Guy · 25-06-2019 12:55am

0-0 at Half-Time. Chile better overall but Uruguay started to have some chances before the break. Been impressed again with Pulgar; Sanchez seems up for it too. Think Torreira being introduced would help Uruguay in midfield.

1-1 between Ecuador and Japan in the other game.

monkey9 · 25-06-2019 1:05am

The highlight of the Chile-Uruguay game so far at half time is Suarez trying to claim a handball against the goalkeeper.

Mr.Nice Guy · 25-06-2019 1:41am

Cavani! What a header!

Mr.Nice Guy · 25-06-2019 2:02am

Full-Time and Cavani's moment of quality is the difference that helps Uruguay top the group. Japan and Ecuador are eliminated after their 1-1 draw.

Here's how the quarter-finals now shape up:

Brazil vs Paraguay

Venezuela vs Argentina

Colombia vs Chile

Uruguay vs Peru

Colombia vs Chile looks the pick of the games.

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-06-2019 10:09pm

Rotten time for the Brazil vs Paraguay tie tonight in this part of the world: 1:30am. Should be a comfortable Brazil win surely.

SharpshooterTom · 27-06-2019 11:20pm

I think Argentina still might win this.

Brazil aren't anything to write home about and you feel if Messi turns it on he could easily score a hatrick or two in some of these knockout games. I can see him running riot against Brazil if necessary.

Corholio · 28-06-2019 12:00am

Messi might need to score hat tricks with that defence behind him. I think Brazil would have too much for them.

SharpshooterTom · 28-06-2019 12:04am

Some people suggesting Venezuela vs Argentina might be closer than expected?

I haven't seen too much of the tournament but Brazil drew 0-0 with them so perhaps they have a chance?

It is Venezuela, a baseball country, so it would be a bit of shock still if they knocked Messi and co.

ERG89 · 28-06-2019 12:19am

ThomasFlynn wrote: »

Some people suggesting Venezuela vs Argentina might be closer than expected?

I haven't seen too much of the tournament but Brazil drew 0-0 with them so perhaps they have a chance?

It is Venezuela, a baseball country, so it would be a bit of shock still if they knocked Messi and co.

Pretty sure Venezuela beat them in March in a friendly where both played strong enough sides.
Doesn't help Argentina play basically without a gameplan, have a midfield that isn't performing with a defense that looks shaky & a manager the players don't rate. They've good forward options but have had better ones in the past tbh.

eagle eye · 28-06-2019 2:21am

0-0 at halftime between Brazil and Paraguay. Brazil look like they are trying to rush things too much. Paraguay for the most part have been disciplined although three yellow cards may cause them problems in the second half.
Arthur and Allan don't look great together in the deep midfield roles, I think a change is required there.

2019 Copa America

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