CONMEBOL Copa America 2018

The **CONMEBOL Copa America 2018** is the first edition of the CONMEBOL Copa America. The tournament is hosted by both Argentina and Uruguay, and will oppose 16 teams (from 3 confederations) for the first ever south american title.

## Participants

The 16 teams invited for the tournament comes from 3 confederations:

CONMEBOL

* Argentina (host)
* Uruguay (host)
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Venezuela

CONCACAF

* Canada (guest)
* Mexico (guest)
* United States (guest)

UEFA

* France (guest)
* Portugal (guest)
* Spain (guest)

## World Cup Qualifiers

This tournament is also a part for the qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2018, as the first turn for the south american zone. This tournament give four direct places to the World Cup to the 4 best south americans teams in this tournament. The 6 guests (Canada, France, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and United States).

## Host stadiums

Argentina and Uruguay have freely open 2 stadiums each for the tournament, for a total of 4 stadiums:

* Arena del Centenario
* El Grandioso
* El Monumental
* La Bombonera

The stadiums are seeded in two "groups": duo Argentina and duo Uruguay. Each duo will host all the matches of 2 groups (groups A and B for the Uruguay's duo, and groups C and D for Argentinian), two quarter-finals, and 1 semi-final. The final is for now predicted to be host by Argentina, but if Uruguay suceed to qualify to the final -without Argentina- then the final will be hosted by Uruguay. The 3rd place match will be hosted by the country who did not host the final, making the number of 16 or hosted matches by each country, and 8 by stadium, each  stadium will always take one match of two in the same day.

## Seeding

Before the tournament takes place, a seeding is made to determinate the groups for the tournament. The 16 teams are seeded into 4 groups of 4 teams, playing against all others teams in their group, winning points depending of their results (3 points a win, 1 point a tie, 0 point a lose). The 2 best teams are qualified for the quarter-finals.

The seeding is make depending on these rules:

1. The pots are made depending of the teams average level. Pot 1 contain the best teams, and pot 4 the worst.
2. Argentina and Uruguay are automatically in the pot 1 (best pot), forgetting their actual level.
3. Two guests from the same confederation can't be together in the same group (this rule doesn't apply to CONMEBOL teams).

The pots ends with this composition:

* Uruguay
* Spain
* Brazil
* Portugal
* Colombia
* Mexico
* United States
* Paraguay
* Venezuela
* Ecuador
* Canada
* Bolivia

Argentina and Uruguay are in the pot 1, but their places are decided automatically:

* Uruguay is in the group A, because of hosting the opening match.
* Argentina is in the group D, because of hosting the final match (except if Uruguay come alone in the final without Argentina).

After the drawing, the groups are composed as follows:

* Mexico
* Chile
* Bolivia
* Spain
* Colombia
* United States
* France
* Peru
* Paraguay
* Venezuela
* Portugal
* Canada

## Group Stage

### Group A (Uruguay)

#### Friday, 23rd of February

Uruguay  3-0  Mexico

El Monumental

 L. Suarez 4', M. Vecino 32', C. Sánchez 67'

The oppening match of the tournament show up Uruguay, one of the two hosts of the competition, and Mexico, a CONCACAF guest. The match was started very highly by Uruguay with a goal of L. Suarez in only 4 minutes (at this time, the new record of the fastest goal). But it was only the beginning... Uruguay show a strong domination during the match and make Mexico fall in the 32' with Vecino. Mexico tried to become highly offensive in the second period (the chinese defense tactic can't meet with the mexican style of playing), but in some minutes Uruguay broke again the mexican formation and assault the opponent goal in multiple waves. Uruguay set up definitly their victory with Sánchez at the 67'.

Chile  4-0  Bolivia

Arena del Centenario

 A. Sanchez 14', 90', P. Hernandez 37', E. Vargas 68'

This match show a new event: two goals scored by the same player, this great performance is the work of A. Sanchez: the new chilian warrior. Surprinsingly, Bolivia did have a better possession (around 55%) but have shown a very bad performance. Chile was strongly dominate the field, and only 2 or 3 occassions from Bolivia have been made in pain for nothing. Chile set up at the 14' with their hero Sanchez, and put them far away with a second goal in the 37', and beat the goalkeeper at the 68' with a reception and second-shoot E. Vargas. For finishing Bolivia off, Sanchez did the surprise by scoring in the lasts seconds, become the first player to score two times in the same match, and giving Chile the new record of goals (and difference) in the same match.

#### Tuesday, 27 of February

Bolivia  0-0  Uruguay

Arena del Centenario

A poor match, with only a few good actions, where the favorite couldn't pass the iron defense of Bolivia.

Mexico  2-2  Chile

El Monumental

 J. Hernandez 26', 86' (P)  E. Vargas 54', F. Orellana 89'

At the opposite of Bolivia-Uruguay, this match was really intense. With Mexico who surprisingly opened the score and keep their advantage the whole first half, until Vargas come to equalize the score at the 54'. Mexico will strike hardly with a penalty scored by Hernandez (2nd goal of the day) at the 86'. When everyone thought it was all over, a new chilian hero, Orellana, equalize a second time the game at the 89'!

#### Saturday, 3rd of February

Chile  0-1  Uruguay

El Monumental

 M. Vecino 22'

Maybe the most important show of the group A, Chile-Uruguay is a battle between the strong Chile, with the best amount of goals of the tournament (at this time) and Uruguay, the host. The very was very intense, but no one wanted to take some risks to lose the last match. But Urugay will pass the chilian defense and strike the victory goal, thanks to Vecino, and take the first place of the group.

Mexico   3-0  Bolivia

Arena del Centenario

 H. Herrera 45', 49', J. Hernandez 73'

The very last game of group A, only a legendary win can qualify at least on of the two opponents. Mexico dominated the whole game, scoring 3 times, the second goal of Herrera was the most legendary: he score his back facing the goal, a shoot with the back of this right foot, the ball passing under the legs of a defender and entering the goals. Even with a good victory, Mexico is sadly eliminated. Bolivia is also eliminated, without scoring a single goal.

### Group B (Uruguay)

#### Saturday, 24th of February

Ecuador  0-2  Spain

Arena del Centenario

 Sergio Buskets 49', 86'

Starting at the beginning of the match, Spain launched a very hard level for Ecuador by taking their first shoot at the 2nd minute of the game. Spain take a total control of the field and chain their shoots on a ecuadorian defense who can't do well but make a wall against the spanish shoots. Unfortunately, the goalkeeper succeed to stop all shots. Ecuador started to open their tactics adn begin to take the advantage at the end of the 1st period, making a difficult counter-attack for Spain to defend effectively. Anyway, no one have reach the Spain's penalty surface. The second period, Spain start a new time a very strong offensive and Sergio Buskets score a surprinsing goal to finally open the score. Spain dominate the whole period, at a level when a player from Ecuador take the ball, Spain easily rob it again some times later. Spain chain their shoots like in the first period, and Sergio Busquets finally make his own second goal in the same game and give Spain definitly their first victory in the Copa America.

Notice Spain did 15 shoots at the opposite of Ecuador, who haven't made a single shoot in the whole match!

Colombia  1-1  United States

El Monumental

 D.Zapata 15'  J. Altidore 20', 28'

A very tied game. A few actions and a great team cooperation for the two sides. Colombia scored first in the first quarter. J. Altidore make the first fault of all the competition and take a yellow card. But Altidore will repend for his action and score a little time after his yellow card, giving his team a tie in the first game.

Notice this match is the first tie of the competition.

#### Wesneday, 28th of February

United States  0-1  Ecuador

El Monumental

 A. Preciados 85'

The second, or last chance for the two teams to have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals. The importance of this match was so strong no team did take risks. When everyone thought it will end in a unpleasant tie. Ecuador make the impossible and score their first goal of the tournament near to the end of the match, giving them the victory who could take them to the high of their group.

Spain  1-0  Colombia

Arena del Centenario

 Koke 17'

After their domination over Ecuador, Spain go on his way and opened the score at the 17' with Koke, the natural domination of Spain let them to have many occasions to score, but their difficulties to finish prevent them to have a better advantage. Colombia's offensives was beaten by the strong spainsh defense, keeping the second victory (3rd if the play-off Spain-Finland included) in a row for Spain, qualifying them (in first) for the quarter-finals of the tournament.

#### Sunday, 4th of March

Colombia   2-0  Ecuador

Arena del Centenario

 Falcao 18', D. Zapata 55'

After their victory against United States, Ecuador was over-confident about their qualifiqaution in quarter-finals. But, in their last match, Ecuador didn't expected to live again the match against Spain: Colombia show a domination the whole match, and win with a lead of 2 goals. Ecuador did only one shot of the match, and was eliminated.

Spain  0-0  United States

El Monumental

On one side, Spain, already qualified, who takes the final day of the group B with a lazy mentality. On the other side, United States, determined to win (or at least give their best) for their last match. Nothing great will happens in this match, leading to a tie with no goals, eliminating United States, and leading definitly Spain to the 1st place of this group.

### Group C (Argentina)

#### Sunday, 25th of February

Brazil  1-1  France

El Grandioso

 Gabriel Jesus 7'  Giroud 45'

Probably one of the greatest shows of the group stage. Brazil, probably the strongest south american team, against France, an european guest, popular for their great talent. An intense match where Brazil open the score fast and dominate the first half of the first period. But France didn't lose hope, when they took the situation to their advantage in the end of the period, scoring in the last minute with the head of Giroud. The second half was really tied and intense too, but no one succeed to take the lead again.

Peru  1-0  Paraguay

La Bombonera

 A.Carillo 54'

Probably one of the worst matches of the group stage. Two little teams who didn't show a great performance. A tied game without many issues and a few occasions failed when they where probably ones of the best to score of all the tournament. Peru scored at the 54' by the head of Carillo, saving them their 3 points for their first match.

#### Tuesday, 1st of March

Paraguay  1-2  Brazil

La Bombonera

 O. Cardozo 7'  Gabriel Jesus 33', Casemiro 80'

After their first lose against Peru, Paraguay searched for a redemption and push away the brazilian defense at the start of the game and suceed to score under the 10 first minutes. But Paraguay failed to keep the advantage: Gabriel Jesus score the equalizer goal at the 33'. But the pain for Paraguay wasn't at is end: Casemiro will eliminate Paraguay out of the competition by scoring the second and last goal for Brazil.

France  1-0  Peru

El Grandioso

 A. Griezmann 17'

After a win against Paraguay, Peru were too confident to play against France, who tied against Brazil some days ago. France scored the only goal of the match at the beginning of the game. And keep the advantage against a peruvian team who play too defensively.

#### Monday, 5th of March

Peru  2-0  Brazil

El Grandioso

 R. Ruidíaz 41', J. Farfán 87' (P)

Brazil, trained for a second victory in a row, played against a (unexpected) very strong Peru. In a first time bullied by Brazil, Peru take a good breath and counter attack and bullied in revenge Brazil the whole match, scoring just before the half-time, thanks to Ruidíaz. But it wasn't the end and Peru was determined as never to qualify in quarter-finals. Peru show a really good coordination, and change it's tactics when needed for dominate against a Brazil who don't know how to handle the game anymore: very defensive when needed, Peru showed a very good and fast offensive when Brazillian players lost the control of the goal, but a fault his made in the penalty surface, and Farfán succeed to score the penalty and lead his team to the quarter-finals.

France  1-1  Paraguay

La Bombonera

 P. Pogba 31'  M. Almiron 45'

After Brazil's fail, France was motivated to not let the -already- eliminated Paraguay to surprise too. After dominated the match 30 minutes, France finally score and open the score. But this goal boost up Paraguay, who doesn't want to go home without any point. Paraguay counter-attack strongly, at the surprise of the french defense, and succeed to score with Almiron just before the half-time. The second half show another domination for France, but anything special finally happen in the second period, qualifying France as the second of the group, after the surprising Peru.

### Group D (Argentina)

#### Monday, 26th of February

Argentina  1-0  Venezuela

La Bombonera

 S. Aguero 13'

This match was watched as inegal: the host, Argentina, against Venezuela, a little team from the pot C. So Venezuela starts the game with the tactic of "strike fast, score fast", and take the domination for the first 10th minutes. But Argentina succeed to block the offensive after some difficulties and go on a succesfull counter-attack, taking the lead. Even after taking a goal, Venezuela did not forfeit and make the game very tough for Argentina, letting them no break in all the match, making occasions to have a tie. After 90' minutes, no one succeed to score another goal, giving Argentina 3 difficult points.

Portugal  4-0  Canada

El Grandioso

 Andre Silva 7', C. Ronaldo 19', 37', Joao Mario 80'

If Argentina-Venezuela was inegal, Portugal-Canada is worse: one of the best european teams against the little Canada, the 3rd team from pot 4. Portugal dominated the whole match, opening the score before the 10th minute. C. Ronaldo make a double in this match, with an incredible goal at the 37' from the quarter-field, making the farther goal ever made. The second period, Canada lose the hope and play very defensively, Portugal failed to pass the canadian wall, until the 80'. After this last goal, Canada change their tactic, for a very aggresive one: "score at all price, now it's over". Canada show a great determination to save their honor, making two good occasions and make the ball come near to the side of the goal.

#### Friday, 2nd of February

Canada  0-1  Argentina

El Grandioso

 E. Banega 32'

Argentina was determined to gain 3 easy points, after the canadian loss against Portugal. If Argentina sure have a far better possession of all the match, they have only scored one little goal, which eliminate Canada.

Venezuela  0-1  Portugal

La Bombonera

 Joao Mario 56'

After their easy win against Canada, Portugal were very confident about their next match against Venezuela. But they were surprised (like Argentina) about the strong defense their opponents have. Just before the half-time, Venezuela did their only shoot of the match, and touch the crossbar, a nail to open the score. But Portugal, after their fear to be dominated, counter-attack and succeed to score with Joao Mario, the hero of the day, qualifying them to the quarter-finals, eliminating Venezuela out of the competition.

#### Tuesday, 6th of March

Portugal  2-1  Argentina

La Bombonera

 João Moutinho 14', C. Ronaldo 73'  E. Perez 30'

The "final" of the group D, Portugal against Argentina, the two teams are already qualified, and fight for the first place of the group. The match was really intense since the beginning, and Portugal open the score against the host (first time in the tournament) with Joao Mountihno, but Argentina equalized 15 minutes later. The second period was also intense, since the two team are again in a tie score. But Ronaldo will save the day for Portugal, scoring the winning goal at the 77', making Portugal the first team (in men football) to beat an host ever. And by this victory, Portugal is also the first team ever who win all their group matches.

Venezuela  0-1  Canada

El Grandioso

 A. Hutchinson 8'

Even if the 2 teams are already eliminated, this match is the occasion to save their honor, when all the pronostics put Venezuela as the winner, Canada make a big surprise for their last match and dominated strongly like Spain did against Ecuador, Canada show a great performance and score their first (and only goal) of the tournament before the 10th minutes! But a goal wasn't enough for the guest team, as their chained their attacks for multiplicate their results. But Venezuela did the barrage well. Even if they fail to score a second time, the ferocity of canadian players help them to save their own goal and prevent Venezuela to make not even a single shoot! After the 90' minute and a strong domination, Canada will go home with the best ending for an eliminated team. Venezuela, humiliated, will go out of the competition, will no point (unique in the tournament), and no goal, after losing 1-0 three times in a row.

## Final Stage

### Quarter-Finals

#### Saturday, 10th of March

Uruguay  2-1  Colombia

El Monumental

 L. Suarez 17', S. Coates 85  D. Zapata 37'

The first quarter-final is played in Uruguay, showing the first host against a surprisingly qualied Colombia. The two teams begins their "final match" greatly, but the host is the first to open the score, but Colombia haven't done with his opponent, scoring back just before the half-time. The second period was greatly dominated by Colombia, determined to qualify to the semi-finals, but Uruguay suceed to take the advantage on the field again and it's the turn of Coates to lead his national team to the next round with his goal in the 85'.

Peru  0-2  Argentina

El Grandioso

 P. Dybala 40', S. Aguero 80'

The second quarter was played in Argentina, showing the suprisingly first of group C Peru, against the second host, Argentina. The match was very well played by the host, against a Peru who was near to can't make something against the strong argentinian attacks. Dybala open the score for Argentina near to the end of the 1st period, Aguero will secure the qualification to the semi-final 40 minutes later.

#### Sunday, 11th of March

Spain  0-0 (3-2)P.  Chile

Arena del Centenario

This quarter-final was one of the most interesting matches to see: Spain, first of group B and european guest, against Chile, one of the teams who have scored one of the highest amount of goals. But if the match was supposed one the most interesting, the show was surprisingly not that great: a fully tied game with an little amount of occasions, but no one succeed to score a single time, leading to the penalties where Spain wins, notice the second spainish goal was a panenka.

Portugal  2-0  France

La Bombonera

 C. Ronaldo 28', João Moutinho 64'

The last quarter-final, a special show opposing two guests from the same confderation: Portugal, winner of the group D with 9 points (only Portugal have own all of his matches) against France, the second team of the Group C. A match predicted as tied, where Portugal show why they are the leaders of the group D. A very well played match where Portugal scored by two times against a french team who can be applause for their game too, but sadly for them, it was a night for Portugal.

### Semi-Finals

#### Thursday, 15th of March

Uruguay  1-0  Argentina

 O Dromo

 A. Cavani 45'

In first place, the match was delocalized in Brazil because the location of the match will be unfair if thematch was played in one stadium of the 2 hosts, who have played againsg each other in this semi-final without a really fair situation.

The first semi-final was predicted as really intense, as opposing the 2 host countries of the tournament. But the destiny have taken another chooce for this show, as Uruguay who totally dominated the match, by shooting 5 times en scoring only just before the half-time, Uruguay beat an Argentina without possibilities. Argentina does not making a single shoot in the whole match, losing in semi-final in Brazil.

Spain  1-0 (pro.)  Portugal

La Bombonera

 Koke 120'

The second semi-final is also the second match opposing two guests from the same confederation (in this case europe a second time too). Spain dominated the first period but failed to open the score. Portugal take is "revenge" in the second half to try this time to score himself, but failed against a strong spain defense. After 90' of tie, the prolongations begins. Spain dominated the first half like in the first half of the "real" match. And Portugal try to make a comeback in the second half, but Spain suceed to counter attack and a shoot from Koke finally open the score for Spain to give them the qualifying place to the final against the host Uruguay.

### Tuesday 20th of march

Argentina  0-1  Portugal

La Bombonera

 C. Ronaldo 13'

For the second time in the tournament, Argentina and Portugal will fight against them, the host hoping for a revenge. But nothing happened good for Argentina, has being a second time dominated by Portugal. Opening in the 13rd minute, Ronaldo became the best scorer in the whole tournament. Argentina try a comeback in the second half, but Portugal strongly prevent the host to equalize, winning the 3rd place in the tournament.

### Wesneday 21st of march

Uruguay  1-2  Spain

El Monumental

 E. Cavani 14'  Iniesta 17', Morata 56'

The final, the match who will choose the final winner of the tournament. The host of the tournament, against a european guest. Uruguay show quickly he play at home by oppening the score. But Spain answer back and score only 3rd minutes after. The first half was full of emotions and very well played. The second half was also a very hard game. But it's Spain who will get the last word by scoring a second time in the 56' with Morata. Spain succeed to keep his goal safe from the host until the last second and win is first tournament ever as a guest.