Brazil Odds-On Favorites Entering Semifinals to Win Copa América 2019
- Semifinal clash with rival heavyweights and second-favorites Argentina
- Host nation scraped penalty shootout win in last eight
- Stuttering Messi has narrow chance of winning major prize
South America’s heavyweight football nations Brazil and Argentina meet in the Copa America for the first time in 12 years in the semifinal in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Estadio Mineirao, at 8:30 pm EST.
Competition hosts and long-term first pick Brazil are now odds-on to win the competition at -135.
The Argentines are not inspiring much belief and are wide joint-second favorites along with Chile at +350.
Copa America 2019 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brazil | -135 |
| Argentina | +350 |
| Chile | +350 |
| Peru | +1000 |
Odds taken at 7/2/19.
The tournament has not lived up to expectations and neither Brazil nor Argentina have delivered much to live up to their grand reputations in the game.
Chile – who have won the previous two editions – meet Peru in the second semifinal on Wednesday in Porto Alegre on July 3, 2019 at Estadio Gremio, at 8:30 pm EST.
Tense Quarterfinal Victory
Brazil required a tense penalty shootout win to get past Paraguay in the last eight after a goalless draw over 90 minutes.
It suggests Brazil will find a way to win against an anxious Argentine side even if they fail to hit the heights of form. They are likely to go on to lift the prize.
Argentina defeated Venezuela 2-0 in the quarterfinal after struggling in the group stage.
❇️ Brazil's attack
❇️ Scaloni's line-up
❇️ Messi's formAll put under the microscope by @andywest01 … #CopaAmerica
https://t.co/xEiJe8xglR— Sport360° (@Sport360) July 2, 2019
Their superstar Lionel Messi has admitted that their chances of winning the competition for the first time since 1993 have been harmed by finishing second in their group.
It was expected the two leading sides would remain apart until the final.
This meant they were propelled early into Brazil’s side of the draw.
It was expected the two leading sides would remain apart until the final.
There has been huge pressure upon Brazil as host nation.
The last four game in Belo has extra significance because the Estadio Mineirao was the scene of their last major semifinal – the 7-1 humiliation by eventual winners Germany in the 2014 World Cup.
Memory of German Humiliation Looms Large
The chance to exorcise the demons of that infamous night are providing extra motivation for the Brazilians as they seek to lift their first major international trophy since 2007.
That was when they beat Argentina 3-0 in the final in Venezuela.
Messi’s Argentine side have demons of their own to cast out after losing in four of the last five Copa America finals as well as the World Cup final five years ago against Germany.
Their coach, Lionel Scaloni, has been playing with a bold front three formation, with Sergio Aguero and the young striker Lautaro Martinez playing ahead of Messi.
Fans can help Brazil at home of 7-1 embarrassment, says coach https://t.co/V0x5mqjXa8 pic.twitter.com/3zjSyDiYnu
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 2, 2019
Tactical analysts at the tournament believe this may leave them vulnerable defensively against Brazil.
Martinez is one of ten joint-leading scorers on two goals after scoring the second goal against Venezuela.
Martinez is one of ten joint-leading scorers on two goals after scoring the second goal against Venezuela.
Brazil have two players on the same total – Philippe Coutinho and Everton.
Impressive Against Peru
The home nation’s best performance so far was the 5-0 hammering of Peru in their third group game.
This followed a 3-0 defeat of Bolivia and a goalless draw against Venezuela.
Argentina’s followers are hoping they will finally see some of the best of Messi after his failure to make an impact so far.
Colombia beat Argentina 2-0 in their first group game. The Argentines then drew 1-1 with Paraguay.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: 🇧🇷 Coutinho 🆚 Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
Two Barcelona teammates lock horns as Brazil and Argentina vie for a spot in the #CopaAmerica final — Who are you backing to come out on top?
Full match preview — https://t.co/siEzxVh75Q pic.twitter.com/BIsa31RoOH
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 2, 2019
It required a 2-0 defeat of Qatar to reach the quarterfinals.
Argentina’s followers are hoping they will finally see some of the best of Messi after his failure to make an impact so far.
The 32-year-old Barcelona wizard has won only one major international honor – the 2008 Olympic title – despite his glittering success at club level.
Pick: Brazil -135
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
