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Victor Dias - June 9, 2024
Group D comprises three former winners in Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. All three will come into this tournament with a chip on their shoulders having experienced the joy of winning. They will each harbour the hopes of reclaiming the title once again. They are joined by a less fancied Costa Rica side.
In our preview, we will consider the chances of each team in this continental showpiece.
The Samba boys are no strangers to the Copa America being the third most successful side in the tournament with 9 trophies. However, their performances over the last couple of years have plummeted and left a lot to be desired, particularly for the fans. In 2023 for instance, Brazil had quite a terrible performance where they won just three matches and lost five in the calendar year.
For context, in their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, Brazil have managed to pick seven points out of a possible eighteen. Fans never know which Brazil to expect, every time they file out for matches, and that is a sharp contrast to the teams that drove fear into opponents years past.
That is not to say that this present squad cannot challenge for the title like they did in 2019. In fact, they can and they have a good squad to achieve that. However, the players have to be at their utmost best to deliver. A particular point is for Vinicius Jr. to replicate his club form for the national team. In the absence of Neymar Jr., he is arguably the biggest star of the team at the moment and must carry the team on his back. He has managed just three goals in his last 23 appearances for the Selecao, while a 17-year-old Endrick already has two goals in four games for the Selecao.
Speaking of Endrick, despite having a poor end to the season with Palmeiras, he has already shown the potential and qualities that earned him a move to Real Madrid come summer. He came off the bench in the friendly matches against England and Spain, practically changing the game and registering goals. He could be the difference-maker for Brazil coming off the bench.
Veteran coach Dorival Junior has an attacking depth to this team that will be the envy of other nations with Gabriel Martinelli, Rodygo, and Evanilson to mention just a few, much focus will also be on his choice in the midfield and defensive areas. The likes of Guimaraes and Paqueta will prove to be key influences in the midfield while Gabriel Magalhaes, Eder Militao and Marquinhos will look to provide defensive solidity.
All of these players have had really good seasons with their clubs and they must now justify their selection with their performances. Fans will also hope that they will not have to question the absence of Richarlison, Casemiro and Jesus at the end of the day.
Prediction: The Selecao will always appear at any tournament as favourites and opponents will only underrate them at their peril. Depending on which Brazil turns up, we are predicting them to top this group and anything other than a semifinal appearance would be considered a failed campaign.
Colombia have appeared in two Copa America finals, the first in 1975 when they lost to Peru and then in 2001, defeating Mexico, courtesy of a lone goal by Ivan Cordoba. That triumph was one they would not forget in a hurry, simply because of the way they won it. They won all matches in regular time and without conceding a goal.
Since then, they have come close, either reaching the quarterfinals or clinching third place. They will look to try to make the finals or at least match their third-place finish from 2021 after losing to Argentina the eventual champions. Teams should be wary of the threat they possess, having gone unbeaten in 21 matches dating back to 2022.
Manager Nestor Lorenzo has handed a call up to James Rodriguez, after being left out of the team in 2021. It is not surprising that Lorenzo has also gone with familiar faces in his preliminary squad set-up. He has found a working formula with these players, so there would be no point making drastic changes. The likes of Yerry Mina, David Ospina, and Luis Diaz will be very important to La Tricolor’s campaign.
Prediction: While we expect Brazil to top this group albeit not easily, no one should write Colombia off as they come into the tournament in fine form. A semifinal appearance would be a good campaign for Colombia.
Two-time champions Paraguay heads into this tournament with just two wins in almost one year. That is not the best of form for a team wanting to return to the top, to an era where they were in four straight world cups between 1998 and 2010. That era led to the team winning the Copa America in 2011.
Since then, they have reached the quarterfinals in three of their last four outings. In the 2019 edition of the Copa America, they lost out to Brazil on penalties and in the 2021 edition they lost yet again on penalties, but to Peru.
Paraguay will look to players like captain Gustavo Gomez who had a good season with Palmeiras to lead the defence. The most capped player in the team, Junior Alonso will also be expected to provide defensive cover for the team.
Having Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron and Brighton’s Julio Enciso firing down on the wings in their best form could be an asset for Paraguay at the tournament.
Prediction: Being in a group containing Brazil and Colombia will pose a challenge for any team. We are not confident that this Paraguay team will make the knockout stage.
Costa Rica is heading into their sixth Copa America since they started participating in 1997, and their first since 2016. In all 6 appearances, they have reached the quarterfinals twice and crashed out in the group stage three times.
The last time the Los Ticos reached the quarterfinals in 2014, they were also grouped alongside Brazil and Paraguay and only made the knockout stages through a third-place finish. Much will be expected of manager Gustavo Alvaro who took charge of the team in 2023 and managed to qualify for the Copa America via the play-in tournament. He will be hoping he can bring his experience leading Ecuador to a quarterfinal finish in 2021 to bear this time around.
Former Arsenal youngster Joel Campbell had his best season in a while with 13 goals from 44 games played for Costa Rican side Alajuelense in the just concluded season, and with 25 goals and 12 assists in over 100 games for the national team, his experience will be important to whatever the Los Ticos hope to achieve.
Spartak Moscow’s Manfred Ugalde will be expected to lead the attack for Costa Rica, he will also be expected to add to his 8 goals contribution in 17 matches for the national team.
Prediction: While football could be unpredictable, we do not expect Costa Rica to do much. It is already a difficult group to be in, we predict they will not go past the group stage.
A clash of the titans. Brazil’s attacking prowess against Colombia’s youthful exuberance will be a spectacle.
A battle between experience and organization against disciplined underdogs. The outcome could hinge on tactical execution and individual brilliance.
Group D promises an exciting mix of dominance, redemption, and potential upsets. While Brazil is the clear favorite, Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica all have the potential to make their mark on the tournament.
