In March, Colombia played two friendly matches against Spain and Romania. Shortly before the Copa América 2024 begins, what conclusions can we draw from how Colombia faces the competition? We review his moment of form and what options he has to win a tournament as prestigious as the Copa América 2024.
Spain 0-1 Colombia: Luis Díaz scores at the London Olympic Stadium
The Copa América will begin in June, which can be enjoyed even more with the Wonderbet promo code. Colombia is one of the favorites for many betting houses, and maybe underrated? Because, although it is usually among the five teams with the best chance of winning the Copa América 2024, the quota granted is excessively high.
While waiting for the Qualification Phase for the 2026 World Cup to resume in September and without confirming the preparatory friendlies that will be played before the start of the Copa América 2024, the only conclusions we can draw are in the friendlies played in March. The first of them against Spain with a final victory by the minimum.
Luis Díaz and a spectacular second part
Although Spain is no longer the team that reigned supreme on the football planet between 2008 and 2012, it is still a powerful team. Furthermore, in the three previous confrontations, Spain had never lost against Colombia, with a balance of one victory and two draws. Let’s quickly review the history between both teams:
- July 1981: Colombia 1-1 Spain;
- February 2011: Spain 1-0 Colombia;
- June 2017: Spain 2-2 Colombia.
Therefore, Colombia’s victory also has an additional merit. And it corroborates the great moment of form, since, adding the subsequent match against Romania, which they won 3-2, The country currently led by Argentine Néstor Lorenzo has gone 21 games without losing. In the first half, Colombia came out timid and backed down due to the constant pressure of La Roja.
However, In the 2nd half they showed why they are one of the fittest teams when it comes to national teams.. Physically they are marvelous and, in addition, they play almost from memory. With players of the stature of James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz, they have a lot of football on offense. The goal scored by the Liverpool winger was the product of an incredible play.
Colombia 3-2 Romania: Two opposite faces
A few days after their victory against Spain at the Olympic Stadium in London, the Colombian team played a match against Romania in Madrid (Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium) that ended 3-2. Looking at the result, anyone could believe that the game was close, but nothing could be further from the truth. Colombia won three to zero in the 80th minute.
One of the most pleasant faces to see was that of Yasser Asprilla that, although he shares a district and surname with the historical Faustino Asprilla, he is not related to him. And the Watford attacker attracts the attention of big clubs in Europe, because At only 20 years old he shows great projection. To corroborate this, he scored a goal against the Romanians.
Problems in defense or justifiable relaxation due to the result?
The last ten minutes of the game against Romania were disastrous in the defensive section. Colombiawho won three to zero, He conceded two goals in seven minutes and ended up calling time. This defensive weakness against a medium-low level team like Romania raises doubts ahead of the start of the 2024 Copa América against the United States.
Someone could argue that Colombia made changes at the back, but, no, they played with the same four defenders that performed at a high level against Spain. It must be taken into account that Colombia will debut against Paraguay on June 25. It is a very favorite for that match, but the Paraguayans are fierce and will demand the maximum from the team led by Néstor Lorenzo.
Conclusions on Colombia’s friendlies ahead of the Copa América 2024
Colombia has shown with these two matches that it is one of the favorites to win the Copa América 2024. What’s more, the Colombia champion of Group D bets have quite a value, since Brazil arrives with a very irregular game (just look at the poor image it gave against Spain in the friendly that was played when Colombia played its game against Romania) .
However, it is understandable that it is not among the top three favorites (although Brazil, today, should not be either). And it is that At times the coffee growers show some weaknesses that in a short tournament can be lethal. If in the crosses he shows himself like in the first half against Spain or like the last minutes against Romania, anyone can beat him.
