Copa America 2011 Rest of Group Stage

After an incredible two false starts apiece, the three seeded sides each finally got a win under their belt dispatching an experimental Costa Rica, a decidedly below-par Ecuador side and a vastly understrength Mexico side respectively. Hardly evidence of title winning form, but sufficient to see them into the latter stages, where improvement is almost a certainty. The only slight snag is that two of the seeded sides will meet each other in Santa Fe for the quarter final. The Battle of the River Plate will take place between Argentina and Uruguay, the tournament’s two most successful sides historically, to decide which has the chance to add to an impressive tally of 14 Copa America triumphs.

Argentina’s triumph over Costa Rica saw in form Manchester City target Sergio Agüero add to his burgeoning reputation with two opportunist goals that won’t have escaped the notice of Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini. Coincidentally Agüero seems to have taken the starting position from just the man he may be replacing at Manchester City, unsettled talisman Carlos Tevez. Batista opted for Agüero and Higuain in an attempt to make his strike force of highly-talented individuals look more like the efficient unit that he and the nation crave seeing.

Brazil will be relieved to have netted four goals against an Ecuadorian side that finally had to change its shape and cagey strategy and go for broke in its final game. Were it not for the Ecuadorians doing this, I doubt Brazil would have scored the glut of goals that Brazilian coach Menezes needed to save him from another panning from the ever impatient Brazilian press. The next game against Paraguay will be a stiff test to their title credentials. Despite managing six goals in the group phase, the Brazil frontline somehow seems to lack a natural finisher, for me, a player like the much derided fallen-hero Ronaldo for example.

Neymar has impressed in terms of showing off his individual skill and regularly unsettling defences with his mazy dribbling, but he still looks quite raw, particularly when it comes to finishing. He looks a long way from justifying Pele’s foolish and ill-timed comparison between him and Lionel Messi.

As I’ve suggested before, part of the favourites’ problem has been breaking down increasingly organised and professional units that traditionally would have been considered cannon-fodder. Arguably group C’s seeded side Uruguay are a weaker side man-for-man than the slick Chilean outfit who have no doubt been the most attractive, confident and consistent attacking force in the tournament thus far.

Two notable surprise packages of the group stage have been Venezuela and Peru. The Vinotinto particularly have made an extremely positive impression on the competition, first earning a well deserved draw after frustrating Brazil with a resolute defensive performance, then despatching Ecuador in a tight match, then in the final game showing a never-say-die attitude to rescue a 3-3 draw in a error-ridden but thoroughly entertaining encounter with Paraguay. Peru also deserve huge credit, only shipping two goals, one an unfortunate own goal, in a group that included two highly skilled front-lines in Uruguay and Chile. At the other end they have counter attacked quickly and intelligently, and offered a real threat to opposition defences.

Finally, Colombia will feel quietly confident after a near perfect performance in the group stage. The Cafeteros were unlucky not to beat Argentina and will feel they should have beaten both Bolivia more convincingly, creating a number of presentable chances in each game. At the other end, Colombia are the only side to come through the group stage without conceding a goal, which bodes well for the next phase. They are likely to come up against a robust and stubborn Peruvian rearguard, who will look to strike on the counter in much the same way as they did successfully in their opening game against Uruguay.