By Paul Nicholson
June 14 – USA, Mexico, Peru and Argentina head the qualifiers for the next round of the Copa America Centenario tournament in the US, while dramatically, Brazil have crashed out after a controversial refereeing decision ruined their week.
After losing their first and the tournament’s opening game against Colombia, the USA rallied to beat CONCACAF-colleague Costa Rica and then Paraguay to secure their passage to the knock-out rounds. Colombia qualified in second place having surprisingly lost their last group game to Costa Rica 3-2.
The USA will now face Ecuador and Colombia will meet Peru in the quarter finals.
| W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Colombia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Costa Rica | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Paraguay | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
In what has been the most closely fought group, came the most contentious decision as Brazil were dumped from the tournament. Needing a win to go through, the once glorious Brazilian team looked an uncoordinated shambles after a clear hand ball goal gave Peru top place in the group.
Brazil now move on to their home Olympic tournament in August, a competition they are desperate to win. Whether they take their coach, the legendary Dunga, with them, remains to be seen.
| W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Ecuador | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| Haiti | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
A final group game draw with Venezuela ensured the Mexicans topped their group.
Mexico will likely face either Chile or Panama in the next round, while Venezuela will face the might of Argentina, clear favourites to win the competition.
| W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 7 |
| Venezuela | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Uruguay | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Jamaica | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
The final group matches today will see Panama and Chile fighting for the second group spot behind Argentina. Chile were a pre-tournament favourite, but Panama with a young and fearless team could pull off a surprise.
| W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 9 |
| Chile | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Panama | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 3 |
| Bolivia | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
In a tournament that has mixed the two American confederations (CONMEMBOL and CONCACAF) formally for the first time, things have gone pretty much to expectations. The big dogs of the USA and Mexico have stood up to their powerful south American neighbours. For CONCACAF to have made their breakthrough in international playing terms and to really join the top tier in world football that they crave, they will need to get at least one of these teams in the semi-finals. The next round will determine whether real progress is being made on the playing side of the north American game.
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