The Copa America Quarterfinals have arrived, and teams are ready to compete at the highest level. With exciting matchups on the horizon, let’s dive into the key points for each game and the history between the teams.
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Copa America 2024 Bracket
Argentina Vs. Ecuador
Argentina, the reigning champions, will face Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Houston on Thursday in a rematch of the 2021 Copa America quarterfinals.
History Between the Teams
Argentina Has never lost to Ecuador at the Copa America, winning its 2021 quarterfinal game against them 3-0. In this game, Lionel Messi scored a free kick and dished out two assists to lead Argentina to Victory. Ecuador came into the match without a win in their last six games against Argentina, and it couldn’t quite get over the hump.
Key Points For the Match
Argentina has been stellar in group play, going 3-0, while opponents haven’t scored once against them. After sitting in Argentina’s 2-0 win against Peru due to a groin/thigh injury, Messi returned to training with Argentina on Monday. However, his status for the upcoming quarterfinal game is still up in the air.
Though Messi didn’t score in the group stage, his leadership and experience is still crucial to Argentina’s success. During the course of this century, Argentina has only lost one quarterfinal match, when they hosted the event in 2011 and lost to Uruguay on penalties.
Ecuador has made it to the quarterfinals in three of the last four Copa Americas. Should Ecuador advance, it will be its first semifinals of the Copa America since 1993. History isn’t on Ecuador’s side, as it has lost six of its last seven games against Argentina, with its last win against them being nine years ago.
Argentina is heavily favored in this match, and for good reason. Not only have the Albiceleste dominated the group stage, but they has also proven to have big-game experience, being the reigning Copa America champions. While Ecuador won’t go away without a fight, Argentina should win this game.
Venezuela Vs. Canada
In its first-ever Copa America appearance, Canada will square off against Venezuela at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
History Between the Teams
Canada and Venezuela have only ever met twice in international friendly games in 2007 and 2010, with both of them being draws.
Key Points For the Match
Canada was lacklustre in group-stage play, scoring only one goal through three games. With one goal scored and two conceded, Canada is 10th in the Copa America in goal differential. Going into its game against Venezuela, Canada is trying to become just the fourth team to win more than one game in its first Copa America appearance. Jesse Marsch’s will need more offensive firepower in its game against Venezuela, particularly from Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies.
Venezuela is rolling right now, going undefeated in group play and scoring six goals through its first three games. Venezuela has only advanced past the quarterfinals once in its Copa America history. Salomon Rondon and Eduard Bello have been on point, scoring two goals each in the group stage.
If Venezuela can ride its offensive momentum, it has the opportunity to bury Canada into the ground.
Uruguay Vs. Brazil
Group C leaders Uruguay will face off against Brazil at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
History Between the Teams
Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 in its 2026 World Cup Qualifier last October, ending their 13-game losing streak against them. Darwin Nunez and Nicolas de la Cruz each scored a goal to lead Uruguay to victory, and Neymar of Brazil had to leave the game late in the first half after a serious knee injury.
Key Points For the Match
Uruguay has looked on point in the group stage, going a perfect 3-0. Marcelo Bielsa’s electric offense has been killing teams, scoring nine goals while only conceding one. Darwin Nunez and Maximiliano Araújo have been leading the attack for Uruguay, scoring two goals each.
After not securing a win against Colombia in its last group-stage game, Brazil will face red-hot Uruguay. The Selecao will also be without Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior in this match after he received his second yellow card of the tournament against Colombia. Raphinha has been solid in group play, and with Vini Junior out, expect him to be the go-to guy on offense. Brazil has been good at not conceding goals, but it is very inconsistent when it comes to scoring them.
While this match between two rivals will be filled with many great moments, Uruguay may be too much for Brazil to handle.
Colombia Vs. Panama
Colombia will duel Panama at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
History Between the Teams
Colombia has won each of its last two internationals against Panama without conceding. In these last two matches, Colombia has dominated Panama scoring a total of seven goals.
Key Points For the Match
After drawing with Brazil to secure the top spot in Group D, Colombia remains unbeaten in its last 26 matches. Los Cafeteros scored six goals across their three group-stage games, with right’back Daniel Munoz surprisingly scoring two. The Colombian midfield, featuring James Rodriguez as the playmaker, alongside Richard Rios and Jefferson Lerma controlling the middle, performed exceptionally well against Brazil. Every player in Colombia looks in sync, and they play off each other extremely well.
Panama has had some impressive group-stage wins, beating the United States to secure the second-place spot in group C. One of the main concerns with Panama is its defense, which conceded five goals throughout the group stage. Considering the expectations for Panama were very low coming into the tournament, a quarterfinal appearance is quite impressive.
Does Panama have enough to beat Colombia and snap their 26-game unbeaten streak? It’s hard to say Panama will win the match, just looking at how good Colombia has been all tournament long. However, Panama has shown perseverance in the group stage, so the match definitely won’t be a cakewalk for Colombia.
