Tournament Focus: Surprises Aplenty as Subs Impact Copa America First Round
It's fair to say big things were expected of Copa America's big hitters this summer so it's also fair to say that the opening round of fixtures didn't exactly go to script. While the likes of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay all ran out winners, none were at all emphatic in victory.
Meanwhile pre-tournament favourites Argentina surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with Paraguay and Colombia fell to a shock defeat against Venezuela. Elsewhere the Copa's lowest ranked side Bolivia held an admittedly depleted Mexico side to a stalemate to suggest that this year's edition won't be as easy to predict as many would have, well, predicted.
The early pace setters are hosts Chile, whose modest 2-goal margin of victory over Ecuador was the largest of the first round of fixtures. Nevertheless Jorge Sampaoli's side took 67 minutes to break the deadlock, with the penalty both won and converted by Arturo Vidal certainly falling into the 'soft' department.
The tournament opener swung on Sampaoli's decision to ditch his favoured three-man backline at half-time in order to introduce Eduardo Vargas, who scored the decisive second late on. Chile are likely to stick with a 4-3-3 then, having mustered just 1 shot on target and 4 dribbles in the first half compared to respective figures of 3 and 9 in the second. The position of said dribbles in each half (below) showed just how the change in formation affected the impetus in the hosts’ favour.
Chile's star men stepped up to the plate when it mattered, with the likes of Claudio Bravo (7.4 rating), Arturo Vidal (8.1) and man of the match Alexis Sanchez (8.5) all making WhoScored.com's team of the first round. Only one player could better the latter's score and it was another big name setting his stall out early.
Brazil skipper Neymar secured a rating 9.03 for his part in the Selecao's narrow victory over Peru. The Barcelona forward was the only player to have a direct hand in more than one goal in the first round of fixtures, netting an instant equaliser after Ricardo Gareca's side took a shock lead in just 3 minutes due to some calamitous defending from David Luiz and horrific distribution from goalkeeper Jefferson. He then provided the assist for substitute Douglas Costa's match winner in second half injury time.
Neymar's goal was an unfamiliar site - which is a strange thing to say when the 23-year old dons international colours - coming as it did from a free header from an exquisite cross from clubmate Dani Alves. He so nearly doubled his tally with a superb dipping effort from range that rattled the bar in the second half - one of 6 shots in total - though his through ball to assist Costa was perhaps the true moment of brilliance in the game, with Neymar registering 4 key passes and 5 assists over the 90 minutes.
Alves joins his compatriot in the team of the round with a score of 7.9, while there was also room for three Argentinean's despite their disappointing opener against Paraguay. Tata Martino's side looked to be justified as favourites to win the tournament in the first half of the match on Saturday, sauntering to a 2-0 first half lead and allowing Ramoz Diaz's side just one wayward shot in that time. Aguero and Messi were both on the scoresheet to take a place in the team of the round but the game turned on its head in the second half.
Paraguay would have 9 shots after the break, with 4 on target bettering Argentina's total of 3 in the second 45. The impact of young Basel winger Derlis Gonzalez was key as Diaz switched to a 4-4-2 formation, completing 3 dribbles and 2 key passes for a rating of 7.03 from WhoScored.com. A Nelson Valdez screamer set up a nervy finish and Montpellier front man Lucas Barrios came off the bench to net the last-ditch leveller in a round that saw substitutes have a real impact on proceedings.
There was little doubt as to the biggest surprise of the round though, despite Bolivia's draw with Mexico - while debutants Jamaica deserve credit for their part in a narrow 1-0 defeat to holders Uruguay - as Venezuela got the better of Jose Pekerman's Colombia. Star man Salomon Rondon scored the match winner in the second half after a well worked move but it was Noel Sanvicente's side's defensive resolve that secured the three points, with only 2 of Colombia's 15 shots testing keeper Alain Baroja.
The team of the week may have all of the names that you would expect to find from the opening round of fixtures, with Messi, Neymar, Sanchez and Aguero in attacking positions, but the Copa America has already proven that the big stars won't have it all their way this summer.
What was you favourite match or individual performance from the opening round of Copa America fixtures? Let us know in the comments below
