Colombia Given 5-1 Odds to Win Copa America 2019 After Group Stage

• Brazil favorites to win the Copa America 2019 on home turf
• Colombia in from +830 to +500 after a 100-percent record in group stage
• Messi still capable of steering Argentina to victory

With the group stages now complete, the Copa America 2019 goes up a gear.  With eight teams remaining and the knockout stages upon us, there is no longer room for error – it’s winner takes all.

Copa América 2019 Odds

*Odds taken 06/25/19.

Brazil, with home advantage in their favor, remain even-money favorites and are helped by a favorable-looking quarterfinal draw against Paraguay. Second, third and fourth favorites in the Copa America odds are closely grouped together though, with just very little between Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina.

Colombians Now Contenders

It’s the Colombians who have shifted most in the market with their current 5-1 odds reflective of the comfortable way they negotiated their group, with three wins in three. That their average odds have shortened from +830 prior to the tournament to +500 after the group stage is significant, and make no mistake – they are genuine contenders.

Their ‘three from three’ in what looked a tricky group was particularly impressive and was concluded with a 1-0 win over Paraguay in a game in which coach Carlos Queiroz made ten changes to the team that beat Qatar. This suggests there is depth in their squad, and they are not solely reliant on the big names and superstars.

The win in the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador appears a narrow one, but it was a composed performance that was ultimately decided by Gustavo Cuellar’s first-half strike. They also had a goal disallowed in the second half, when substitute James Rodriguez’s clever flick set up Luis Diaz to score, but a VAR review revealed the ball had brushed Diaz’s arm. But it was job done, which has been the story of their tournament so far.

Significant Win Over Argentina

Of even greater significance when considering if Columbia’s +500 offers any value, is their 2-0 win on the opening day of the tournament over the highly-fancied Argentinians.

The Colombians tournament got off to an absolute flyer in a tense game in Salvador when Roger Martinez’s outstanding 71st-minute strike and Duvan Zapata’s late second, four minutes from time, gave Los Cafeteros their first victory over Argentina in 12 years.

It was a tetchy one though and tempers boiled over in the second half when Juan Cuadrado was booked for late a challenge on Lionel Messi, triggering a mass brawl between both sets of players. But, again, the Colombians got the job done.

A Chilean Hurdle Awaits

What may count against Queiroz’s men is that they have what is arguably the toughest of the four quarterfinals. On Saturday, they face Chile in the Corinthians Arena, São Paulo in what promises to be a titanic struggle between the fourth and fifth favorites, with the winners playing the victor of the Brazil/Paraguay quarterfinal.

Jefferson Lerma’s 2-0 win over Argentina for Columbia was the first time one of our players featured in the Copa America. Brilliant start ??? #AFCB pic.twitter.com/ffNwksicmj

— ? TheCherries ? (@TheCherries_com) June 19, 2019

So, even if they do get past Chile, the likelihood is they will face Brazil in the semifinal, which means they have a huge hurdle to overcome if they are to win this tournament.

Never Rule Out Lionel

The draw, however, does favor the Argentinians. They’ll face Venezuela in their quarterfinal and, if they progress, the winner of the Uruguay/Peru tie in the semifinal. Although Uruguay, in particular, will fancy their chances against Messi and co.

So, it’s an interesting one and a tough one to call – and in truth, it is hard to see the Brazilians slipping up on home turf – but we just have an inkling that Messi will be out to make what might be one final big statement in ‘enemy’ territory.

Our pick: Argentina (+550)