The 2020 Copa América will finally kick off on Sunday, and teams from South America will try to steal the crown away from the 2019 winners, Brazil, who will repeat as hosts due to the events that forced CONMEBOL to strip hosting duties from Argentina and Colombia.
The competition will begin with interesting matches belonging to Group B, where almost all teams have reason to believe in their chances of earning a spot in the next round. Only one team will be eliminated from this group after the end of this stage, but all teams must be wary not to finish in third or fourth place, since that would force them to face the leaders in Group B in the KO stage.
Let's have a look at all the details surrounding Group B in the South American competition.
Which teams are involved in Group B?
Brazil - A Canarinha has to be considered as the main candidate to win the title for a number of reasons. For starters, hosting the tournament will give them an edge, and secondly, their recent form suggests that they will be able to breeze past the group stage. The main question for the Verde-Amarela will be how far they will get with Neymar as their primary weapon, especially because their last triumph came without the PSG ace on the pitch.
Colombia - Reinaldo Rueda's team has shown signs of its former self, and this competition could be the confirmation of their rebirth without players such as James Rodríguez and Radamel Falcao. This time, Los Cafetaleros seem like the only team that could establish itself as a true contender to take the top spot away from Brazil, and making it with such a young squad would speak volumes of their recently appointed boss.
Ecuador - La Tricolor will make it to the Copa América in fine form, and some believe that Gustavo Alfaro's men could make something happen this year. The Ecuadorian side has never lifted a Copa América title, and while those would be high hopes for the team led by Enner Valencia, a top three finish would not be far-fetched for the yellow and blue side.
Perú - This will be a tough Copa América for Peru, as coach Ricardo Gareca made the controversial call to leave Paolo Guerrero out of the tournament. Now, the former striker will have to work with a squad that will have midfielder Christian Cueva and striker Gianluca Lapadula as their go-to guys. The thought of watching Perú returning to the Copa final seems impossible, but La Franjirroja will certainly keep their rivals guessing and their fans on the edge of their seats.
Venezuela - La Vinotinto will enter the competition as the major underdog. The Venezuelan team has never made it past the semi-finals, and this time, coach José Peseiro will have the mammoth task of leading the team past the first round in a group they will share with Brazil and Colombia. While football always holds some surprises in store, it seems highly unlikely to see the Vinotinto side progress to the next round.
Which cities will host Group B?
As you may know, the Copa América was set to be played in Colombia and Argentina, but since the tournament moved to Brazil, the cities that will be hosting Group B's games will be: Rio de Janeiro, Goiania, Brasilia, and Cuiabá.
Group B prediction
Brazil should be considered as the top contender to win the group, followed closely by Colombia. The third place will most likely go to either Ecuador or Perú, while there seems to be no way for Venezuela to escape a last-place finish.
1. Brazil
2. Colombia
3. Perú
4. Ecuador
5. Venezuela
Copa America 2020 - Group B calendar
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Colombia 0 - 0 Venezuela
June 17, 2021 5:00pmEstádio Olímpico Pedro Ludovico Teixeira (Goiânia, Goiás)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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