Sultan Al Ali (Dubai)
Brazil finished second in their group in the 2024 Copa America, behind Colombia, which they tied 1-1 at the end of the first round. The group also included Costa Rica and Paraguay, and the “Seleção” was unable to take the lead due to their goalless draw with Costa Rica in the group’s opening match.
Brazil’s second-place finish in the group is not a normal occurrence, as in the last 16 participations of the “Samba” team in the groups of major continental tournaments, it qualified as the leader on 14 occasions! The exception remains in the 2016 Copa America, when the “Seleção” failed disastrously to qualify from the group that was led by Peru with 7 points, then Ecuador “5 points”, and Brazil “4 points”.
The Brazilians are going through one of their worst periods on all levels, as the team is still without a permanent coach, after seeking to sign Carlo Ancelotti, who renewed his contract with Real Madrid. The team also lacks leading players and players with great technical weight.
The Brazilians will face Uruguay in the quarter-finals, in which the “Sky Blues” team is likely to win, given the performances presented, the capabilities of coach Bielsa, and the brilliant players, noting that Uruguay achieved victory over Brazil in the current World Cup qualifiers with two goals.
The “Seleção” occupies sixth place out of 10 teams in the qualifiers, having achieved only 7 points in 6 matches, including wins over Peru and Bolivia, who are in last and second to last place.
sfarsit articol
Sultan Al Ali (Dubai)
Brazil finished second in their group in the 2024 Copa America, behind Colombia, whom they drew with 1-1 at the end of the first round. The group also included Costa Rica and Paraguay, and the “Seleção” was unable to take the lead due to their goalless draw with Costa Rica in the group’s opening match.
Brazil’s second-place finish is not typical, as in the last 16 participations of the “Samba” team in major continental tournament groups, they qualified as the leader on 14 occasions! The exception came in the 2016 Copa America, when the “Seleção” failed disastrously to qualify from the group, led by Peru with 7 points, followed by Ecuador (5 points) and Brazil (4 points).
The Brazilians are going through one of their worst periods on all levels. The team is still without a permanent coach, after seeking to sign Carlo Ancelotti, who renewed his contract with Real Madrid. Additionally, the team lacks leading players and players with strong technical capabilities.
The Brazilians will face Uruguay in the quarter-finals, in which the “Sky Blues” team is likely to win, considering their performances, coach Bielsa’s capabilities, and their brilliant players. Notably, Uruguay achieved victory over Brazil in the current World Cup qualifiers with two goals.
The “Seleção” occupies sixth place out of 10 teams in the qualifiers, having only achieved 7 points in 6 matches, including wins over Peru and Bolivia, who are in last and second to last place.
Brazil’s Copa America Struggles: A Sign of Troubled Times?
A Disappointing Second Place Finish
Brazil’s performance in the 2024 Copa America has been a source of disappointment for fans and pundits alike. The "Seleção" finished second in their group, behind Colombia, after a disappointing 1-1 draw in the first round. This marked a significant departure from Brazil’s usual dominance in continental tournaments.
The group stage also saw Brazil draw a blank against Costa Rica in their opening match, further compounding the team’s difficulties. This goalless draw was particularly surprising considering Brazil’s history of success in such competitions. In fact, out of their last 16 participations in major continental tournament group stages, Brazil had topped the group 14 times! The only exception being the 2016 Copa America, where they suffered a disastrous group stage exit, finishing behind Peru and Ecuador.
Seeking a Coach and a Winning Formula
The 2024 Copa America highlights a period of transition and uncertainty for Brazil. The team is still searching for a permanent coach, after their pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti, who ultimately renewed his contract with Real Madrid, fell through. This lack of a stable leadership structure has undoubtedly impacted the team’s performance.
Further fueling the team’s struggles is a dearth of leading players and players with significant technical prowess. The "Seleção" is in desperate need of a resurgence in both leadership and talent to reclaim their place at the top of the footballing world.
Facing Uruguay in the Quarterfinals: An uphill Battle?
Brazil’s second-place finish means they will now face Uruguay in the quarter-finals. This match promises to be a tough encounter, especially considering Uruguay’s recent successes. The "Sky Blues" are confident in their chances, given their impressive performance, Bielsa’s coaching expertise, and the team’s stellar players. Uruguay’s recent World Cup qualifying victories over Brazil (with two goals in each match), serve as a testament to their current prowess.
Struggling in World Cup Qualifiers: A Cause for Concern
Brazil’s difficulties in the Copa America are reflected in their performance in the World Cup qualifiers. They currently sit in sixth place out of 10 teams, with a meager 7 points from 6 matches. Their only wins in the qualifying campaign have been against Peru and Bolivia, the teams sitting in last and second to last place respectively.
The Road Ahead: A Period of Rebuilding?
The 2024 Copa America and World Cup qualifiers have exposed the raw reality of Brazil’s current state. The team is in a period of transition, facing various challenges that need to be addressed with urgency. If they are to reclaim their former glory, Brazil needs to rebuild their squad, appoint a permanent coach, and develop a winning strategy, both on and off the field. Only then will the "Seleção" be able to make a serious return to the top of the footballing world.