The final Group A match of the Copa America 2024 is set to be a tense affair as Canada and Chile face off at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Both teams are vying for a victory to secure their spot in the knockout stages.
Chile, plagued by attacking woes throughout their campaign and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, must find a solution to their scoring drought. Their 1-0 defeat to Argentina on Tuesday saw them register only three shots, all coming after the introduction of Alexis Sanchez, Chile’s top international goal scorer. Sanchez himself failed to capitalize on a prime opportunity in the goalless opener against Peru. Despite Sanchez’s struggles, winger Victor Davila defended the 35-year-old, highlighting his importance to Chile’s prospects. “We know that many a time it isn’t your day,” Davila said, through an interpreter. “There are no doubts about it. It’s part of the work, it’s part of football. You can have a good day or a bad day. But we have no doubts on Alexis’ performance.”
Canada, on the other hand, secured a 1-0 win over Peru on Tuesday thanks to Jonathan David’s goal, giving them three points in Group A. A draw against Chile would likely be enough to secure their progression to the knockout stages, unless Peru manages to pull off an upset against Argentina. Despite the victory, Canadian manager Jesse Marsch remains concerned about his team’s defensive vulnerabilities. “I still challenge them that both in the Argentina game and the Peru game, a lot of the wounds came self-inflicted, from us giving bad balls away or being a little careless in dual situations,” Marsch told OneSoccer this week. “I could see that we needed to make changes.”
This encounter promises to be a high-stakes clash as both teams battle for a place in the Copa America knockout phase. Chile will need to find a way to unlock their scoring potential, while Canada must address their defensive frailties. With a place in the next round at stake, the stakes are high, and the intensity of the match is sure to be palpable.
