The Copa America 2021 group stage has ended on this Tuesday. The eight qualified nations for the quarter finals are known. The 28 Maurice Revello Tournament graduates who took part in this group stage are all still in race. Here is a summary of this first round.
They are qualified
28 out of 28 Maurice Revello Tournament graduates taking part in the Copa America 2021 will be present in the quarter finals.
Argentina : Agustin Marchesin (2009), German Pezzella (2009), Alejandro Gomez (2009) – Head coach : Lionel Scaloni (1998)
Brazil : Alisson Becker (2013), Ederson (2014), Emerson (Tournaments 2017 & 2019), Marquinhos (2014), Douglas Luiz (2019)
Chile : Eugenio Mena (2009 & 2010), Gary Medel (2008), Tomas Alarcon (2019), Claudio Baeza (2014), Pablo Aranguiz (2019), Felipe Mora (2014), Eduardo Vargas (2008, 2009 & 2010)
Colombia : Davinson Sanchez (2014), Stefan Medina (2011), Sebastian Perez (2013), Edwin Cardona (2011), Duvan Zapata (2011), Luis Muriel (2010 & 2011), Rafael Borré (2014), Miguel Angel Borja (2013) – Head coach : Reinaldo Rueda (2000, 2001, 2003)
Paraguay : Omar Alderete (2016), Mathias Villasanti (2016)
Perou : Head coach : Ricardo Gareca (1979, 1983)
They have shone
In 2019, for his first major tournament as a coach, Lionel Scaloni led his country to the Copa America semi-finals. The Albiceleste coach is well on his way to repeat this performance as Argentina finished atop group A (three wins, one draw). While the legend Leo Messi has been outstanding, another Argentinian stole the show during this group stage : Alejandro Gomez. The Sevilla FC playmaker, seen previously at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2009, scored during the two games that he has started : against the Paraguay (1-0) of Mathias Villasanti and Bolivia (4-1). Two games started as well by German Pezzella. The Fiorentina defender has been one of the most used players by the coach Lionel Scaloni since the start of the competition.
In this same group A, Chileans sealed also their qualification for the knockout stage. The Chile all-time top scorer in the Copa America Eduardo Vargas justified once again his status as he found the net against both Argentina (1-1) and Uruguay (1-1). Thanks to his two goals, the Maurice Revello Tournament 2009 winner took his tally to 14 goals scored in the Copa America, only three goals away from the record held by both Norberto Mendez (Argentina) and Zizinho (Brazil).
It should be also noted that this group stage has been the opportunity for Pablo Aranguiz to make his international debut against Bolivia (1-0), two years after participating at the Maurice Revello Tournament 2019.
In the group B, hosts and title holders Brazil have been unbeaten (three wins, one draw). Marquinhos led the way as he scored the Seleçao’s first goal in this competition against Venezuela (3-0) following a corner, an area where the Maurice Revello Tournament 2014 is excelling.
Colombians, the other favourites in this group B, secured their ticket to the quarter finals, although not without difficulty. With only four points earned in as many games played, Los Cafeteros struggled in this group stage and can thank both Miguel Borja and Edwin Cardona who scored two of the three goals netted by Colombia so far in the Copa America 2021.
Quarter finals fixtures
Amayes Brahmi