Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
Canada's 2024 Copa America group stage campaign closes with a mouth-watering fixture against Chile, and they will be hoping to still hold a realistic chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Canada and Chile clash in Matchday 3 action at the Copa America in a game that could hold significance at the top of the Group A standings.
This is the first-ever meeting between both nations in any competition, so the game is uncharted territory and they are likely to take some time figuring each other out.
Canada will be concluding their first Copa America group stage campaign and their fans are hoping it ends as a success as their fortunes have dipped since the last World Cup. The North Americans returned from Qatar 2022 with a run to the CONCACAF Nations League final - their first final in 23 years - where they lost 2-0 to the United States.
Canada's CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign began only a few days later and a win with two group-stage draws was enough to see Canada through to the quarterfinal where they lost to the USA again on penalties. This game marked the end of John Herdman's tenure with the national team as he left at the end of August to manage Major League Soccer side, Toronto FC.
Interim coach, Mauro Biello, had a huge job on his hands as he was promoted from his role as Assistant Coach and tasked with guiding the team through the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League A, where victory in a two-legged tie against Jamaica would qualify them to participate in CONMEBOL's 2024 Copa América.
Biello's tenure was ushered in by a 4-1 friendly defeat to Japan but they regrouped to beat Jamaica 2–1 a month later. Canada needed only a draw in the second leg at home but they suffered a monumental collapse despite leading at halftime to lose 3–2 and relinquish the tie on away goals.
The humiliating loss capped off a disappointing year for Canada men's soccer post-World Cup and they now had to qualify for a final place in the Copa America via a play-off against Trinidad and Tobago in March.
Cyle Larin and Jacob Shaffelburg each scored in the second half to lead them to the tournament being held in 14 cities across the United States.
Biello is gradually stamping his mark on the squad as a combination of factors meant no players above 30 years old were invited to the March squad. This attention to quality as well as the resolution of several off-pitch issues with the Soccer Federation may cause Canada's players to approach this tournament much calmer than the calamitous showings of 2023.
As firm underdogs in a group containing Argentina, Peru and Chile, they are poised to shock everyone and exceed expectations.
The Chileans have some unhealed wounds from 2022 as they missed out on the World Cup, so 2023 began with three wins and a draw from four friendly matches to prepare them for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The campaign began in September with a defeat against Uruguay and a tie with Colombia but they grabbed their only win so far in the home game against Peru.
A shambolic calendar year ended with defeats to Venezuela and Ecuador while they went scoreless against Paraguay. Chile appointed Ricardo Gareca as manager in January 2024 and he got off to a good start with a 3-0 victory over Albania before they came up short against France, losing 3-2 in another friendly.
La Roja clinched the Copa America trophy in consecutive editions in 2015 and 2016 and Chile will be hoping to make a splash on their return to international competition. It is pertinent that they do well this summer and they will be eyeing an automatic qualification spot alongside the world champions.
To actualise those objectives, Chile must beat a stubborn Canadian side and claim their place on the group standings.
This Copa America showdown is scheduled to take place on Monday, 30 June 2024 with kick-off scheduled for 1 AM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on the websites of both national federations as well as the Copa America organizers so you can hurry to purchase yours.
The Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida is the venue for this game where around 25,000 supporters could be representing their nation. This means that the rush for tickets might become frantic and they could get sold out in no time.
We urge fans still trying to acquire Canada vs Chile tickets to try to purchase their copy on a ticket resale site.
Jonathan Osorio missed Canada's crucial Copa America qualifying playoff against Trinidad and Tobago due to a hip injury but the veteran midfielder should be fine and included in the squad for the tournament.
Canada will also be keen to have all their best players fit and available for the duration of their campaign.
Chile's Ben Brereton Diaz was initially omitted from Gareca's first squad due to his limited proficiency in Spanish but he eventually made two appearances off the bench in March. The forward likely improves his command of the language before the summer and he could yet play a part for La Roja given his qualities.
Canada have what looks set to be a golden generation of talent and Alphonso Davies is the cream of the crop with his speed, dribbling, versatility and inspirational presence. Chile must pay close attention to the Bayern Munich man who will look to give his team a constant attacking threat.
Canada: St. Clair; Johnston, Cornelius, Miller; Davies, Eustaquio, Fraser, Buchanan; Ugbo, David, Larin
Chile have lots of talent and experience in their frontline which they can depend on to fire them to victory against a lower-ranked opponent like Canada.
Chile: Bravo; Isla, Diaz, Sierralta, Suazo; Nunez, Pavez; Osorio, Vargas, Brereton Diaz, Sanchez
Although they are favourites, Chile have failed to score in five of their last nine matches before the tournament and Canada will be keen to put on a defensive masterclass to limit them.
With that in mind, this game is likely to be a low-scoring affair and the prospect of qualification hopes being on the line would only make it even more cagey.
Canada 1-1 Chile
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