Copa America 2024: Team of the Group stage

These players dominated the group stage for their nation.

We have witnessed some incredible actions from the teams in the initial stages of the tournament. The Copa America 2024 is underway as teams battle against the best to ultimately crown themselves as champions. Venezuela and Uruguay have surprised everyone with their performance in the opening stages.

The opening stages of the competition were filled with drama, thrill and action. It has also seen the host USA being eliminated after a poor run in the group stage of the competition. Teams like Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay have proven to be early title contenders but you cannot also rule out Brazil despite their inconsistency. 

Let us now look at the players who dominated the group stage and played a crucial role in taking their team to the knockout stages.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) 

Emiliano Martinez has been in impressive form for Argentina in the last couple of years. He was a massive part of their success in the Copa America and World Cup. Martinez is a commanding goalkeeper who is excellent with the ball at his feet and can make goal-saving saves with ease. In the group stage, he has kept three clean sheets in the three matches by making six saves.

RB: Daniel Munoz (Colombia) 

Daniel Munoz has performed admirably for the national team after delivering back-to-back impressive performances. He scored a goal against Paraguay to give them an early lead. Munoz finished the group stage with 13 recoveries, three interceptions and making eight tackles. He has been a rock for his team at the back giving them a solid outlet from the right-hand side. 

CB: Cristian Romero (Argentina) 

Cristian Romero has turned into a leader at the back for Argentina after helping them keep three clean sheets in the Copa America competition. The Tottenham man is known for his tough tackling and physical challenges as he doesn’t shy away from making them. He finished the group stage with eight tackles, four interceptions and made 13 recoveries. These stats are impressive comparing the he only made two group-stage appearances. 

CB: Marquinhos (Brazil) 

Marquinhos has been one of the experienced players on the team who has performed at a high level over the years. After an excellent season with PSG, he continued his form with the national team and is one of the reasons why Brazil still competes.

His ability to remain calm and composed under pressure while making some excellent diagonal passes makes him a crucial member of the team. He had an excellent passing accuracy in the early phase of the competition, 97.5%.

LB: Alphonso Davies (Canada) 

The Bayern Munich man is having a fantastic Copa America 2024 tournament for Canada after helping them qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. He has performed consistently in the group stage by helping defensively.

Davies is an attack-minded player who makes bombarding runs from the left-hand side to create chances for his teammates. In the group stage, he recovered the ball 23 times, most by a player, while making two blocks, five tackles and four interceptions. 

CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil) 

Bruno Guimaraes has impressed everyone with his all-round game so far. His ability to carry the ball forward and also control the tempo of the game makes him a crucial player for the team. Guimaraes has elevated his game to the next level after making excellent development at Newcastle United.

He has even managed to outshine his fellow midfielders by delivering back-to-back impressive performances. He will be crucial for the team in winning the midfield battle further in the Copa America competition. 

CM: Federico Valverde (Uruguay) 

Federico Valverde had an incredible season with Real Madrid helping the team win the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga. Ever since Marcelo Bielsa became the manager, he has taken his game to the next level. Valverde is known for his ability to relentlessly press the opposition and lead by example.

He was one of the reasons why Uruguay have maintained excellent form in the competition. Valverde opened his account in the competition with a well-taken goal against Bolivia. 

RW: Eduard Bello (Venezuela) 

Eduard Bello is having an amazing tournament for Venezuela after helping them in the group with three wins. He has netted two goals in the tournament from the opening three matches. Bello’s ability to take on defenders using his pace and dribbling makes him a dangerous player at this Copa America event.

He also is a threat in the box after netting a fine header in the last match to open the scoring for the team. Keep an eye on him, he is ready to make a mark in the knockout stage of the Copa America 2024 competition. 

AM: James Rodriguez (Colombia) 

James Rodriguez has been at his brilliant best and has made headlines with his performance for Colombia in the Copa America 2024 group stage. He started the tournament in excellent form after providing three assists against Costa Rica and Paraguay to continue his impressive start.

He was unplayable in both Copa America games as opposition players found it difficult to stop him due to his excellent positioning. He combined well with the other attackers to give a perfect platform for the team. 

LW: Lionel Messi (Argentina) 

Lionel Messi is arguably one of the best players in the world who has dominated world football with his brilliance. Despite missing the last match, he helped the team register two consecutive wins in the opening two matches. He delivered a perfect assist in the opening match against Canada and was close to scoring a goal. Messi will be crucial for Argentina in their quest for back-to-back Copa America titles. 

ST: Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) 

Lautaro Martinez is leading the goalscoring chart in the Copa America 2024 competition so far after netting four goals in the group stage. He has looked as the main threat throughout the group stage with opposition defenders finding him difficult to stop. His movements have been particularly impressive given that he is leading the team in terms of goals despite the team consisting of Messi and several other attacking superstars.

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