Copa America Round-up: Magical Messi makes the difference, as Uruguay crash out

Messi makes his mark with goal-scoring cameo

Gerardo Martino killed the suspense during Thursday’s press conference, “Leo [Messi] trained with the group normally,” Moreno told reporters in Chicago. “There is nothing unusual, and he will play tomorrow.”

True to his word, Messi arrived just after the hour mark and would leave the game with the match ball. The second substitute to score a hat-trick in the Copa America after Paulo Valentim in 1959, Messi provided a gear shift for his team.

In his absence, Argentina had scored 3 goals and conceded just 1. They scored 4 while he was on the field, albeit against a Panama side reduced to 10 men. Up a goal thanks to Nicolas Otamendi, the Barcelona man had his first just 7 minutes after coming on.

His second was a trademark free-kick that left Jaime Penedo with little more to do than pick the ball out of his net. His third, another smart finish, completed the perfect introduction to the tournament, and allowed his team-mates to display a propensity for sarcasm, “I don’t think Messi’s introduction made much difference,” Augusto Fernandez said.

The Panamanian players understandably looked nervous from the moment Messi entered the field, and by the time the game had ended they at least had a story to tell their grandchildren. Amazingly, the man himself said that the pitch had made it difficult, “It was very intense,” he said. “The pitch was a bit too hard, the grass too long.”

Yet even such conditions did not impede him. Playing a part in Argentina’s fifth goal to round off the game and secure their place in the next round, it will not have come as a surprise to Panama’s coach Hernan Gomez, ”You can work a lot to build a team, but against Messi there’s nothing you can do,” he said in the build-up to the game.

A result that sent a message to the rest of the teams in this tournament, Messi reinforced the idea that this team is more dynamic and more dangerous with him in it. Changing the game in just 29 minutes, imagine what he could do with a full 90.

Uruguay crash out in spectacular fashion

Luis Suarez threw his boots off in disgust. The Barcelona forward would only register one kick in the Copa America, and it would be aimed at a piece of plexiglass rather than a bouncing ball.

His frustrations captured the mood of a nation. The Barcelona forward expected to play against Venezuela, even though Uruguay’s team sheet listed him as absent, “If he got upset, that is something I was not aware of,” Oscar Tabarez said after the game. “He didn’t tell me anything.”

Suarez did not have to speak. His public sulking on the bench said enough. A 1-0 loss to Venezuela was enough to edge Uruguay towards the precipice. Perhaps fittingly, the great overachievers saw their time in the tournament all but ended by the team that are currently holding that tag.

Solomon Rondon’s first half goal handed the Vinotinto their second win of the group stage, and forced Uruguay to accept they would not be repeating the feat of 100 years ago when they first collected the Copa America trophy.

At home, El Observer described the defeat as ‘a blow to the soul’. Yet in analysing Los Charrúas tournament it is hard to find anything that went right for them. From Suarez’s sulk, to hearing the wrong national anthem during their opening game against Mexico, this has been an unmitigated disaster for a team that so many tipped as favourites.

Even Tabarez’s claims this is ‘not a real Copa America’ do not dull the pain. Uruguay is an ultra competitive nation. They have dominated Copa America, and this will most definitely hurt. It is their yearning for victory that pushed them to the top of World Cup qualifying on goal difference.

Contrast that with Venezuela, who have taken just one point from 6 games, and this defeat is a shock. Lacking creativity in the middle, as well as a potency in attack, Uruguay not only missed 12 of their 13 shots on Thursday, but have also taken the fewest in the tournament so far.

A frugality that was typified by Edinson Cavani’s performance on Thursday, the PSG man has done little to dispel the notion he cannot lead the line. Distressing, disappointing, there are few positives to take from the situation for Tabarez and his team. However, if there is one silver lining, perhaps it is that he has learned more about his team by losing this way than he would likely ever have by winning the competition.

United States earn a comfortable win over Costa Rica

Jurgen Klinsmann is not someone to be swayed by public opinion. As fans discussed which changes to the line-up they’d make for the Costa Rica game, Klinsmann made none.

Instead he stayed faithful to his veteran players, and was rewarded for it early on when Clint Dempsey converted an 9th minute penalty (notching his 50th goal for the United States in the process). Switching tact from the Colombia game and handing possession to Costa Rica, it allowed the United States to sit deep and spring on the counter attack. A trick they used for the second goal of the game, the US found a third through Bobby Wood before half time.

The forward’s shift from out wide to a central position earned him far better opportunities to score, although few were eager to give Klinsmann credit for doing what seemed obvious to spectators.

“This was one of the weirdest games we ever had,” Costa Rica head coach Oscar Ramirez said afterwards. “We were superior, we had control, but this is football and you have to score. The United States hit us in crucial moments.”

Conceding a fourth goal late on to Graham Zusi, it concluded a disappointing tournament for Los Ticos. Hampered by the absence of Kendall Watson through suspension, the greater loss was Keylor Navas. The fact the United States scored 4 goals from their first 4 shots on target hinted at the drop in quality between the posts, with Navas’ replacement Patrick Pemberton not up to the task.

Meanwhile, for the US, there remains uncertainty. Klinsmann’s side showed their ability to be an effective counter attacking side, but whether they can dictate games and penetrate teams that do not come on to them remains to be seen. A coach that divides opinion, there is still not a concrete conclusion on him or his performance, that will only come with time.

Piano player James Rodriguez dictates the tune for Colombia

As James Rodriguez’s Real Madrid future continues to remain ambiguous, there is nothing uncertain about his situation with Colombia.

The attacking midfielder is the star turn for his nation, and his teammates are more than happy to indulge a player that can change a game with the flick of foot. On Tuesday, he did it twice. Once to set-up Carlos Bacca for the opener, and once to net a goal for himself.

Pushing Colombia towards a 2-1 victory over Paraguay, it highlighted the impact Rodriguez has on this team. During the World Cup two years ago he stole the show and joined Real Madrid not long after, having stated his love and passion for the club.

That romance now looks to be dwindling. Coach Jose Pekerman has given his opinion on the star’s club future, believing he must relocate this summer, “My advice to James is that it is best if he goes and plays for another team as it seems clear that the man [Zidane] doesn’t want to use him,” he said.

Interestingly, there had been speculation that Rodriguez may miss the game due to injury. Pekerman has already confirmed he will require surgery post tournament, but his desire to play appeared to overrule any pain, "When you have desire, everything is easier,” said Rodriguez after the game. “Since yesterday we had talked about this already. But you always have to be careful, because the shoulders are exposed.”

If Colombia are to win this tournament, then Rodriguez will have to maintain his form and fitness. The piano player amid some piano carriers, they dance to his tune, and for now, it remains a beautiful tune, "I just want to play well,“ Rodriguez said. "If that happens [to be the tournament’s top scorer], I think it will be good.”

Results - Round 2

Group A
United States 4-0 Costa Rica
Colombia 2-1 Paraguay

Group B
Haiti 1-7 Brazil
Peru 2-2 Ecuador

Group C
Jamaica 0-2 Mexico
Uruguay 0-1 Venezuela

Group D
Argentina 5-0 Panama
Chile 2-1 Bolivia