Preview

Both Paraguay and Brazil look for their first win of the 2024 Copa América when they meet in a Group D contest at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. 

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By Jon Arnold

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That’s definitely a bigger surprise for Brazil, tipped by many as favorites to win a 10th Copa América crown, than for Paraguay. But the Seleção was held to a scoreless draw by a pesky Costa Rica team that limited opportunities, flustered Brazil’s biggest stars and earned a point.

Yet, even as fans have called for modifications, including the insertion of teenage striker sensation Endrick, Brazil manager Dorival Júnior looks unlikely to make changes – sticking not only with Raphinha in attack but also maintaining a scheme with both João Gomes and Bruno Guimarães in the midfield.

Those two midfielders played 83 minutes together against Costa Rica, with Dorival Júnior taking criticism for sticking with a balanced squad against a Ticos team that showed little interest in pushing forward for any sort of attack. The manager also was questioned for taking off Vinícius Júnior in the 71st minute as the squad continued to look for a goal, though many noted the Real Madrid mega-star’s international scoring record of three goals in 31 caps doesn’t exactly demand he stay on the field when the squad needs a goal.

Paraguay came into the tournament with their own issues scoring goals but were at least able to get one in a 2-1 loss to Colombia, though it came as they were chasing a 2-0 deficit. Still, it was a positive moment for the Albirroja, with promising 20-year-old forward Julio Enciso scoring what they hope will be the first of many goals in his international career. 

During World Cup qualification, it has been evident the Paraguay attack needs to find a punch beyond simply the creativity of Newcastle United’s Miguel Almirón with the Colombia loss extending their streak of scoring one goal or fewer to nine consecutive matches.

Costa Rica may have set out the blueprint for underdogs against Brazil, but whether or not Paraguay’s back line (which has a strong anchor in veteran Fabián Balbuena and could get more experience from Gustavo Gómez who stayed on the bench in the opener) will be able to once again fluster, frustrate and deny a talented Brazil team the goals they seek.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Two Concacaf teams who have gotten to know each other well in the last few years square off in their second match of the CONMEBOL Copa América when the United States and Panama clash in Atlanta.

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By Jon Arnold

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The Concacaf squads have met at least once a year since a January 2019 friendly. Panama’s only win in those six matches was in last year’s Gold Cup semi-final when an alternate U.S. side fell in the penalty shootout and the Central Americans advanced to the Gold Cup final.

Now at full-strength, the U.S. is eager to show it can compete with the best not just in Concacaf but in the Americas. It dominated South American straggler Bolivia in its opening match, with Christian Pulisic scoring in the third minute and Folarin Balogun adding a second in the 44th. Despite dominating proceedings in the second half, however, the U.S. couldn’t capitalise on a number of chances to extend its lead even further.

U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter won’t be concerned if his team continues winning. The biggest fitness question for the U.S. remains midfielder Tyler Adams, who played 45 minutes in the opener and came out as a planned change. While AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah (and Real Betis’ Johnny) both have given plenty of evidence they’re up to the international standard, neither can influence a game quite like Adams.

Not only did Panama lose its opener against Uruguay, the team favored to top the group, it also suffered the loss of a key player. José Luis “Puma” Rodriguez sprained his shoulder in the 3-1 loss to the South American squad and will be out for the rest of the tournament. That adds to a list of injuries manager Thomas Christiansen has had to cope with.

Veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy had to pull out just before the start of the tournament, and while Panama thought it would replace him with Fidel Escobar, the centre-back said he’s not yet fit enough to play international matches. Fellow centre-back Andrés Andrade and forward Cecilio Waterman already were missing heading into the summer, with Andrade injured in a pre-tournament swing through Spain and Waterman injured prior to June’s World Cup qualification contests.

While the middle of defense finds itself quite shorthanded, Panama feels confident in its wide defenders, Michael Amir Murillo, the Marseille man who scored in stoppage time against Uruguay, and Eric Davis. It now needs Edgar Yoel Barcenas to provide even more of a creative engine, and, while do-everything midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla earned the most touches for Panama in the match with Uruguay, he needs to do more if Panama can spring a shock at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Two Concacaf teams who have gotten to know each other well in the last few years square off in their second match of the CONMEBOL Copa América when the United States and Panama clash in Atlanta.

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By Jon Arnold

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The Concacaf squads have met at least once a year since a January 2019 friendly. Panama’s only win in those six matches was in last year’s Gold Cup semi-final when an alternate U.S. side fell in the penalty shootout and the Central Americans advanced to the Gold Cup final.

Now at full-strength, the U.S. is eager to show it can compete with the best not just in Concacaf but in the Americas. It dominated South American straggler Bolivia in its opening match, with Christian Pulisic scoring in the third minute and Folarin Balogun adding a second in the 44th. Despite dominating proceedings in the second half, however, the U.S. couldn’t capitalise on a number of chances to extend its lead even further.

U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter won’t be concerned if his team continues winning. The biggest fitness question for the U.S. remains midfielder Tyler Adams, who played 45 minutes in the opener and came out as a planned change. While AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah (and Real Betis’ Johnny) both have given plenty of evidence they’re up to the international standard, neither can influence a game quite like Adams.

Not only did Panama lose its opener against Uruguay, the team favored to top the group, it also suffered the loss of a key player. José Luis “Puma” Rodriguez sprained his shoulder in the 3-1 loss to the South American squad and will be out for the rest of the tournament. That adds to a list of injuries manager Thomas Christiansen has had to cope with.

Veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy had to pull out just before the start of the tournament, and while Panama thought it would replace him with Fidel Escobar, the centre-back said he’s not yet fit enough to play international matches. Fellow centre-back Andrés Andrade and forward Cecilio Waterman already were missing heading into the summer, with Andrade injured in a pre-tournament swing through Spain and Waterman injured prior to June’s World Cup qualification contests.

While the middle of defense finds itself quite shorthanded, Panama feels confident in its wide defenders, Michael Amir Murillo, the Marseille man who scored in stoppage time against Uruguay, and Eric Davis. It now needs Edgar Yoel Barcenas to provide even more of a creative engine, and, while do-everything midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla earned the most touches for Panama in the match with Uruguay, he needs to do more if Panama can spring a shock at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Georgia must pull off the greatest result in its footballing history as an independent nation to stand any chance of making the last 16 of Euro 2024.

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By Graham Ruthven

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The Crusaders claimed their first-ever major tournament point after scoring their first-ever major tournament goal against Czechia, but will need to register their first-ever major tournament win to progress in the competition.

That will be a tall order against a Portugal team that has talent to go the distance in Germany this summer. Roberto Martínez’s side made a statement with their 3-0 victory over Türkiye and are considered among the tournament frontrunners despite making a sluggish start in their 2-1 win over Czechia.

Martínez selected João Palhinha in central midfield to give the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva more freedom against Türkiye, and the change worked with Portugal much more fluid and mobile in the final third. If Portugal can replicate that performance, Georgia will have little chance of containing them.

Of course, Georgia boast a top quality attacker of their own in the shape of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Willy Sagnol has frequently used the Napoli winger in a more central position to increase his influence and Georgia will need their best attacking player to be in top form if they are to pull off an upset in their final group game.

They will also need Giorgi Mamardashvili to show the sort of form he demonstrated in the 1-1 draw against Czechia. The Valencia goalkeeper made several eye-catching saves (11, to be precise) to keep the opposition at bay and earn a valuable, and historic, point for his team – and also earn the highest FotMob player rating across Matchday 2. Mamardashvili might have to find an even higher level to keep out the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernandes and co.

With Portugal all but guaranteed top spot in the group, there’s a chance Martínez could rotate his lineup with one eye on the knockout rounds. This could see some fringe players like Pedro Neto and Diogo Jota given a start with Gonçalo Ramos another squad member who could be given some game time.

Nonetheless, Portugal have greater squad depth than perhaps any other team at Euro 2024 besides England and France and will want to maintain their momentum before moving into the next round. Georgia’s best chances will come on the counter attack where Giorgi Kochorashvili and Zukriko Davitashvili, as well as Kvaratskhelia, will be a threat. 

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Czechia and Türkiye both enter Wednesday’s final round of Group F fixtures with their place in the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 on the line.

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By Graham Ruthven

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A point against Georgia was disappointing for Czechia, but put them in a position to make it out of the group stage with a positive result against Türkiye who already have a win over Georgia under their belt.

Patrik Schick was forced off in the second half of that draw against Georgia with an injury and is a doubt for this crunch match in Hamburg. His absence would be a blow to Czechia such is the importance of the Bayer Leverkusen forward to his national team.

While Czechia have scored in both matches they have played at Euro 2024, they have demonstrated a lack of attacking invention with the 27 shots Ivan Hašek’s team had against Georgia counting for just one goal.

Türkiye, on the other hand, played an open attacking game against Georgia before a calamitous display against Portugal which saw Samet Akaydin score a ridiculous own goal and Vincenzo Montella team’s 2-0 down after just 28 minutes. Montella will hope for a more consistent level against Czechia.

Arda Güler was bizarrely dropped to the bench for the game against Portugal after scoring a long-range strike from outside the box in the victory over Georgia. The Real Madrid attacker will surely come back into the lineup with Türkiye in need of a positive result to be certain of their place in the next round.

Juventus youngster Kenan Yıldız could also start to give Montella’s team more attacking threat in the wide areas, something they desperately lacked in the insipid performance against Portugal. Türkiye must play on the front foot to show they deserve to make it through the group stage.

The omens are good for Türkiye who have won their last three matches played against Czechia on foreign soil. They have also scored two or more goals in each of those games. Czechia, meanwhile, can draw confidence from the run they made in Euro 2020, when they unexpectedly made the quarter-finals.

Czechia’s approach could determine how entertaining Wednesday’s match is. If they sit back and invite pressure like they did against Portugal, the game could be a grind for all concerned. If, however, they get out and attempt to go toe-to-toe with Türkiye, it could be an open encounter with plenty at stake.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Ukraine and Belgium both need a positive result to ensure their passage through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 with Group E finely poised heading into the last round of fixtures.

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By Graham Ruthven

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Indeed, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine are all on three points, separated only by goal difference. Domenico Tedesco’s team have the talent advantage on their Group E rivals, but still have to get the job done on Wednesday.

Belgium were shocked by Slovakia in their first game of the tournament, but bounced back with a much-improved performance against Romania, winning 2-0 as Youri Tielemens and Kevin de Bruyne both found the back of the net.

Romelu Lukaku has yet to score at Euro 2024, but has accumulated 1.3 Expected Goals (xG) in the two matches he’s played. The centre forward is putting himself in good positions in and around the box and will surely find the target at some point. Having had three goals disallowed, Lukaku’s luck is due to change.

Tedesco handed Dodi Lukebakio the start against Romania after favouring Leandro Trossard in the opening game defeat to Slovakia. On the other wing, Jérémy Doku is a constant threat with his dribbling, averaging 5.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at the tournament so far. Meanwhile, Kevin de Bruyne has created more chances (seven) than any other Belgian player in the two matches the Red Devils have played.

Ukraine carry an attacking threat of their own with the pace of Mykhailo Mudryk key to the way Serhiy Rebrov’s team play in quick transition. The Chelsea winger is isn’t always composed with his final ball, but he is averaging 2.6 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at Euro 2024. That gives Ukraine a different dynamic.

So far, centre forward Artem Dovbyk has struggled to make much of an impression on the tournament. Last season’s top scorer in LaLiga hasn’t been on the same wavelength as Georgiy Sudakov so far and has lacked the service needed to replicate the sort of form that saw him score 24 times for Girona in the 2023/24 campaign.

Talent-wise, Belgium will have the upper hand in Wednesday’s match, but they struggled to break down Slovakia’s low defensive block and could suffer a similar problem against Ukraine who are expected to sit deep and use their pace on the counter to expose the opposition defence. If Mudryk, Dovbyk and Andriy Yarmolenko can link up well, Belgium could suffer another upset.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Group E is delicately balanced ahead of Wednesday’s final round of fixtures with Slovakia and Romania both targeting a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

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By Graham Ruthven

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Slovakia produced the biggest shock (by ranking) of the tournament so far by beating Belgium in their first game while Romania also upset the odds by putting three goals past Ukraine in an emphatic 3-0 victory.

Francesco Calzona has named an unchanged team for Slovakia’s two Euro 2024 fixtures so far and could stick with the same lineup for Wednesday’s match in Frankfurt, although Dávid Hancko’s fitness is a concern after coming off injured against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Romania’s threat on the counter attack will be key to their game plan against Slovakia with Valentin Mihăilă’s pace something that could see the 24-year-old keep his place in the team after starting against Belgium.

Stanislav Lobotka has caught the eye, controlling matches for Slovakia in central midfield. The Napoli star is averaging 73.5 touches per match and is the all-round central operator that could allow Slovakia to dominate Wednesday’s crucial group decider. Slovakia need Lobotka to be in top form.

Romania will also look to the centre of the pitch for a difference-maker with Nicolae Stanciu the mercurial playmaker capable of producing something out of nothing, just as he did by scoring from distance against Ukraine. The 31-year-old will look to get in between the lines and unsettle the opposition defence.

Defensively, Slovakia have a strong spine in the shape of Milan Škriniar and Martin Dúbravka with Radu Drăgușin the bedrock of the Romanian backline. Wednesday’s match could come down to the strength of the two defences and who can hold their nerve. A mistake at the back could prove decisive.

After two games, Romania are averaging the third-lowest average share of possession (36.9%) of all the teams in Euro 2024, highlighting their favoured approach of sitting deep, absorbing pressure and hitting out on the counter attack. Slovakia are ranked only 15th for average possession per match, hinting at a cagey encounter between the two Group E rivals.

Slovakia and Romania already have three points on the board which means a draw could be enough to send them both through to the round of 16. However, this depends on what happens in the other Group E fixture between Ukraine and Belgium, who are in the same position, both sitting on three points each. Slovakia and Romania’s meeting might be a slow burn, but it could ultimately finish in chaos.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

In a rematch of the 2015 Copa América final and 2016 Copa América Centenario final, Argentina meets Chile in both teams’ second group match of the 2024 edition of the tournament – at MetLife Stadium the same stadium where Chile defeated Argentina in that 2016 contest.

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By Jon Arnold

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It will, however, feel like a very different game than anything that took place in New Jersey eight years ago. A frustrated Messi contemplated international retirement after falling short in 2016 but entered this tournament triumphant, having won the Copa América in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022. The good vibes continued for Argentina in the opening match, though they failed to convert a number of clear chances in a 2-0 victory over Canada. With Lionel Messi celebrating his 37th birthday on Monday, Argentina will hope to continue the festive mood in the camp with another victory.

In addition to inspecting the pitch more closely after frustrations with the surface in Atlanta, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni also is expected to make a few changes to his starting XI. After not playing in the opening match both midfielder Enzo Fernández and winger Nicolás González – are hoping to earn a start, as is Nicolás Talgiafico, who came in as a substitute for Marcos Acuña.

There are a few Chilean players who helped lifted that 2016 trophy still contributing to La Roja. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and attacker Alexis Sánchez started for Chile in its opening match, a scoreless draw against Peru. Chile manager Ricardo Gareca has, however, moved on from golden generation members like defender Gary Medel, midfielder Arturo Vidal and midfielder Charles Aránguiz.

He’ll be without creative midfielder Diego Valdes, who left the opening match with an injury, and likely will start Darío Osorio, a talented, young attacker but one without the same playmaking brain Valdés possesses. Chile will need attacking contributions from elsewhere after controlling the first half of their contest with Peru but struggling to build from the back in the second when Peru moved its press higher and complicated things for La Roja’s centre-backs – leading to Peru finding a number of scoring chances from the types of transitional moments Argentina can punish.

A win would put Argentina through into the next phase of the competition and give Scaloni an opportunity to make even more modifications to his squad in the finale against Peru.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Copa America live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

England will face Slovenia in the final round of fixtures in Group C on Tuesday, with both sides standing a chance of advancing into the next round. It’s a game with plenty riding on it at the Cologne Stadium, as it will also likely effect the outcome of the best third placed sides table.

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By Matthew Smith

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Gareth Southgate’s side have come under plenty of criticism since the tournament got under way, but they’re in a strong position to finish in first place. Still undefeated, England have ground out results so far, despite having yet to show their full potential.

England’s lack of attacking threat has been a key talking point throughout Euro 2024, and it’s no surprise. The Three Lions have managed just 25 touches inside the opposition box in the tournament, the lowest of all nations.

Keeping the ball out of the net hasn’t been a major issue at the other end, with England only conceding from a long-range Morten Hjulmand effort. Southgate’s men have limited the number of chances against them so far, with no side conceding fewer expected goals in the tournament.

Jude Bellingham’s performance in the opening game showed why he’s one of, if not the brightest talent in the game. With an average match rating of 7.49 so far, the travelling England faithful will be desperate to see him step up against their next opponent.

Slovenia have failed to win at Euro 2024, playing out two draws in Group C. As it stands, the Dragons sit in fourth place out of the best third-place teams in the tournament, meaning they will advance into the next round of the tournament.

Matjaž Kek’s side have been one of the most defensive teams in the competition so far, averaging just 35.8 per cent possession while touching the ball in the opposition box 28 times. They are now preparing for their toughest test on paper in England, but Denmark showed Southgate’s side can be vulnerable.

Slovenia’s forward partnership of Andraž Šporar and Benjamin Šeško have proven to be a threat despite failing to find the back of the net in the tournament, averaging 0.71 expected goals per 90 minutes between them. Šporar has created two big chances for his team-mates, but Kek’s men will need to show more of a clinical edge in front of goal.

It’s all to play for in Group C, with all four teams still in with a fighting chance of qualification. 

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Denmark and Serbia will go head-to-head on Tuesday with both teams looking to achieve their first victory at the tournament in their final group-stage game. The race for qualification is wide open in Group C, and we’re all set for an exciting match as the two sides go all out for the three points.

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By Matthew Smith

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Denmark’s high-pressing and possession-oriented system hasn’t produced the results they may have hoped for so far, despite an impressive point against England. A draw in their opening match against Slovenia will have been a disappointment, but they’ve undoubtedly shown signs of being capable of qualifying for the next round. 

Kasper Hjulmand’s side have won possession in the final third 5.5 times per game while also keeping the ball 59.4 per cent of the time. Their high-tempo setup particularly caused problems for England, with Morten Hjulmand’s long-range strike securing them a point. 

Christian Eriksen has not only been a standout performer for the Danes but also in the tournament overall. Only Mert Müldür (8.27) and Fabían Ruiz (8.64) have averaged a higher match rating at Euro 2024. 

With his 11 chances created – more than any other player in the competition – Eriksen’s creativity will be crucial if Denmark aim to reach the latter stages of the tournament. 

Serbia might feel slightly unfortunate to only be on one point at Euro 2024. Their performance against England after going behind showed plenty of fight, but Southgate’s resolute defence made it difficult for them to find a result.

Dragan Stojković’s side had plenty of momentum throughout the second half, but their lack of creativity has cost them. Serbia have created just three big chances in the competition – only Scotland have managed less (2). With just one goal to their name, they will need to step up their attacking threat against the Danes.

Serbia have plenty of attacking prowess in their side, but we’re yet to see some of their star names produce in front of goal. Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović have been regular scorers for their respective club sides in recent years, but both players have failed to get their names on the scoresheet at the tournament.

Strahinja Pavlović’s dominance at the back has ensured Serbia have been difficult to beat at Euro 2024. With four clearances and 2.5 successful tackles per 90 minutes, Stojkovic will be hoping for his experienced defender to continue his fine form in their final group-stage game.

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(Cover image from IMAGO)

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You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.