Copa America: Argentina Smell Blood

Argentina vs Peru

The best team in the world has booked yet another quarterfinal berth at the 2024 Copa America. La Albiceleste are gunning for their 16^th title in the tournament, and after beating Canada and Chile, it seems as if Scaloni’s lads are ready to repeat as champions.

The Leo Messi-led squad faced little resistance in beating the opposition they have faced so far. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has at his disposal the likes of Julian Alvarez, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez, and Alexis Mac Allister to create numerous chances and keep the ball away from rival sides.

So far, the reigning World Cup winners have yet to concede a single goal and are favoured by SBOTOP odds to win the whole thing. But in order to win it all, going all in every single time is not the way to go.

 

Talking Points

Scaloni’s bench mob

Lionel Scaloni has hinted that he may or may not play Messi—or a lot of other first-team players, for that matter—as he looks to shuffle his team ahead of the clash against Peru on Sunday.

According to Copa America 2024 updates, the 46-year-old gaffer wanted to make full use of his roster and give other players a go. And what better way to do it than when you are safely through to the next round?

One of Europe’s rising stars, Alejandro Garnacho, did not feature in the first two games Argentina has played in. The 19-year-old winger had seven goals and four assists in 36 appearances for Manchester United in the last Premier League season.

Crucial to United’s FA Cup victory last season, Garnacho boasts quality well ahead of his age. And while his international career at La Albiceleste is still green, his creativity with the ball, coupled with a natural knack for attacking, makes him one of the most-awaited players to finally feature in this year’s tournament.

Another young stud awaiting his turn is Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios. A frequent starter in Xabi Alonso’s title-winning crew, Palacios contributed five goals and eight assists in 36 appearances last season, though various injuries have sidelined the midfielder for some time. But now healthy and raring to go against whomever, Scaloni knows he’s got a fighter on his bench whenever he needs it.

 

Peru’s fate now out of their hands

This year’s edition of the Copa America is Jorge Fossati’s first international stint with La Blanquirroja. And while it is clear that Argentina 100% advances in their group, Peru fancied their chances before the tournament started.

Both Chile and Canada are ranked below them and were not real threats to begin with. Chile were a shell of their mid-2010s selves, where they won back-to-back Copa America titles in 2015–2016.

Meanwhile, Canada is a young team looking to cause some upsets, with the ultimate goal being to cultivate experience and a culture for their new manager.

But as things stand, Peru are dead last in Group A, and the odds that they fail to advance in the knockout stages have just increased tenfold.

In a tight game marred by an assistant referee fainting because of high temperatures, Canada’s Jonathan David scored the only goal of the game in the 74^th minute after a breakaway play from Les Rouges.

Peru weren’t short on chances throughout the game, having nine shot attempts (four on goal) and possession stats near identical. But ultimately, the red card on Portland Timbers centre-back Miguel Araujo was a glaring hole in the defence, and the Maple Leafs just did enough to exploit it.

The opening match was not kind to Peru either, after failing to hit the back of the net against Chile in a goalless affair. Like the game against Canada, they had more chances in the final third, with Cagliari striker Gianluca Lapadula having the bulk of the shots taken on goal.

Currently, they are tied with Chile at one point apiece. Despite both being goalless at the tournament so far, they face a monumental challenge to claim the remaining spot to advance as they face Argentina next.

And even if they do beat the insurmountable odds and pull off a miracle, they will still need Canada vs. Chile to end goalless at the very least. Any other result, and it is farewell to La Blanquirroja.

 

History

Argentina have a lopsided track record against their final group stage opponent. The three-time World Cup winners have a 36-7 (14 draws) head-to-head record, winning their last match at the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. It does not bode well for the Peruvians that the last time they won against Argentina was 27 years ago.

Generally, Peru do well during the Copa America; they have won the tournament in 1939 and 1975. Argentina, though, remains their kryptonite at the tournament losing back-to-back quarterfinal matches against them in 2004 and 2007.

 

Betting Tip

The Copa America 2024 betting odds are stacked heavily against the underdogs. I was not even born the last time they beat the mighty Argentina.

It would be no surprise if they got battered, even if Scaloni decided to sit his most precious asset. It is also worth noting that aside from being goalless this tournament, Peru last scored a goal against Argentina back in 2016 in a 2-2 draw.

Some may contemplate hammering the moneyline on Argentina if more first-team options get a rest in this match. And since Peru will be fighting to stay alive, they will give it their all and be aggressive.

Be that as it may, the quality of the two squads is far and the only way the Peruvians will finally break their slump is if Argentina wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. Expect La Albiceleste to play freely and break the game open at any given moment.

It would be wise to put money on Argentina (1.44). But if you want a more profitable option, go ahead and bet on the defending champs winning by halftime (2.07). Scaloni may field a stronger team in the first half before pulling them out for the reserves in the second. If you’re feeling lucky, a correct scoreline of 3-0 to Argentina is priced at 9.80.

   

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