The oldest and one of the most exciting national team competitions Copa America 2021 is back in action after going through a turbulent time initially. The governing body, CONMEBOL has officially moved the competition to Brazil albeit the move has come with its fair share of criticism.
Copa America 2021 will comprise 28 matches with venues that are quite close to each other to reduce the travel time for different teams hence reducing the risk of the pandemic encroaching on the competition. In this piece, we’re looking at the potential favourites to win this glorious tournament.
ARGENTINA
Lionel Messi-led Argentina are the bookies’ favourites to win Copa America 2021. They are the second-most successful team of the tournament with 14 titles to their name but it’s been more than 28 years since they last won the trophy back in 1993. The team has a good blend of experience mixed with youth and have a new manager Lionel Scaloni leading them for the competition. They have seen their fair share of bad luck in the previous editions and can expect the rub of the green to go their way this time around.
BRAZIL
Brazil yet again is a team filled with superstars. They start as second-favourites to Argentina according to the bookies but the team would be quietly confident about their chances this time around. Tite’s Brazil will begin the tournament as defending champions and have all the means to go on to defend their title in Copa America 2021.
COLOMBIA
Historically, Colombia haven’t been as successful as they would have hoped for in Copa America with just the one title in 2001 to their name. Colombia was initially supposed to be the co-hosts along with Argentina for the 2020 edition but the tournament got delayed by a year due to the pandemic. Now, due to political tensions in Colombia and rising Covid cases in Argentina, CONMEBOL has decided to move the tournament exclusively to Brazil. Nevertheless, this Colombian team wouldn’t let them get affected by the outside noise and will aim to possess a good vibrancy in the team.
URUGUAY
The most successful nation in Copa America with 15 titles to its name, Uruguay come to this competition yet again as one of the favourites. Their last title came a decade ago in 2011 but the 2021 edition could be the start of something special for the country. Their manager, Oscar Tabarez has been with the side since 2006 and would be hoping to end his last stretch with the national team on a high by leading them to the Copa America 2021 title.
CHILE
Chile won back-to-back titles by winning in 2015 and then acing the Copa América Centenario version of the tournament by defeating Argentina in penalties in 2016. Those are the only two titles the nation has ever won in the competition They have an ageing side with 29 being the average age of the squad. Their golden generation seems to be coming to an end but they would be hoping to make that count in this edition and end with a flourish
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