PREVIEW – The CanMNT v Chile game will be the last 2024 Copa América Group A game between the two teams. Chile has some more work to do with only one point, but they could still qualify for the quarter-final round of the 2024 Copa América competition.
CanMNT v Chile Preview: Both Teams Have Everything To Play For
Chile (2-1-2)
Chile is in good form in their last five games, but they only have one point to show for in their last two games in the 2024 Copa América group stage. After a disappointing result, where they gave up a late game-winning goal to Argentina, this is what Ricardo Gareca said about the game on Saturday they “are going to leave everything,” on the pitch against Canada (Source: Oliver Thomas, a Senior Reporter of Sports Mole).
What might be worse news for Chile though is that the head coach mentioned above (Source: Matthew Scianitti of TSN) has been penalized, along with the Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni (Source: Ben Steiner of the Northern Futbol Podcast), for their remaining group stage games. This was for not having the team arrive on the pitch in time and both head coaches have been suspended for their national team’s upcoming games on Saturday.
CanMNT (2-1-2)
READ MORE: Argentina Wins Thrilling Game In 2024 Copa América Opener
Considering that the Canadians faced the top-three ranked teams in the world, a record of 2-1-2 in their last five games is impressive. As for the win against Peru, it was not Canada’s finest game, however, they did get the job done. Jacob Shaffelburg and Maxime Crépeau played exceptionally well as the Canadians got the narrow win in Kansas City. This is what the CanMNT head coach, Jesse Marsch, said about the win (Source: Reuters of Egypt Today):
“I look at the result, and I know that the guys are excited to make history,” he told reporters. “That was a big moment. But I look at it more as the situation that the team was in.”
The goal by Jonathan David was also a masterclass and something to note that it was not an easy goal to score and required precise accuracy and power.
Players to Watch For Both Teams and Head-To-Head
There are some big players to watch out for both teams. For Canada, Shaffelburg and Crépeau are two players Chile will want to look out for. Both players are in good form and can change the outcome of the match. Claudio Bravo is one to watch out for from Canada’s perspective. The starting goalkeeper for Chile made eight saves for Argentina and played a huge part in Chile almost getting a result against Argentina.
There is also well-renowned forward, Alexis Sánchez, who currently plays with Inter Milan of Serie A. With Chile, he has scored 51 goals in 165 appearances for the national team. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides since 1995. Canada currently holds a 2-1-1 edge over Chile all-time.
How To Watch The Game and What Is At Stake
READ MORE: CanMNT Gets First-Ever Win in Copa América
The CanMNT could qualify for their first-ever Copa América quarterfinals appearance. This is while Chile could miss out on the quarterfinal round of the Copa América competition for the first time since 2004.
Canada can qualify for the Copa América quarterfinal round with a win and might also qualify for the quarterfinal round with a draw. If Canada draws and Peru wins, tiebreakers will be looked at like goal differential among other factors. As for a Chile win, the same rule applies as with a Canada draw if Peru also beats Argentina. A loss or draw for Chile and a loss for Canada would eliminate the national team from the 2024 Copa América competition.
Fans can watch the game on Saturday, June. 29, 2024 at 8:00pm ET. The game will take place at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Also, at the same time and date, Peru and Argentina will face each other at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Canada vs. Chile game will be televised nationally on TSN/RDS in Canada, while the Argentina vs. Peru game will be shown live on TSN+.
Photo Credit: CanMNT Soccer X ENG Account and the CanMNT Soccer X FR Account on June 25, 2024.
