Copa America Group D fixtures and predictions: Colombia to spring a surprise

Every major international tournament features a first-phase ‘Group of Death; and  the Copa America Group D fixtures have a solid claim to that unwanted title with three former winners, Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay, drawn together in the section alongside Costa Rica.

With both Brazil and Colombia listed among the outright contenders to win this summer’s competition outright, Group D is worth following with interest.

Copa America Group D fixtures

Copa America Group D predictions

Group Winners: Colombia

Colombia replaced manager Reinaldo Rueda with Nestor Lorenzo after they failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and the appointment of the 58-year-old has proven to be an inspired manoeuvre.

At the time of writing, Colombia remain unbeaten under Lorenzo’s instruction, lodging a hugely impressive 14 wins and five draws in 19 assignments since his appointment in June 2022.

Listed among Lorenzo’s victories since his appointment two years ago are triumphs over big-hitting sides like Germany and Spain, while Colombia have also already beaten Group D opponents Brazil and Paraguay during his tenure.

Indeed, Colombia showcased their class and menace again only last weekend, when they blitzed a strong USA XI 5-1 in Maryland. If their form holds, they could upset the odds to pip favourites Brazil to top spot in Copa America’s Group D.

Runners Up: Brazil

Brazil head to the United States as second-favourites to win Copa America 2024 outright, and as odds-on favourites to top the pile in Group D. However, the Seleção have issues to overcome and doubts to allay ahead of this summer’s tournament.

The Brazilians were eliminated in the quarter finals of the 2022 World Cup, and their form has remained alarmingly patchy since. Indeed, they find themselves all the way down in sixth position in their CONMEBOL WC qualification group after six games, and they have won only five times in 11 outings since their poor showing in Qatar ended.

Brazil named journeyman manager Dorival Júnior as their new permanent head coach in January, though the 62-year-old has it all to prove, after burning through six jobs in as many years.

With the individual quality of Real Madrid trio Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick in tow, Brazil should have enough potency to squeeze into the knockout phase, though a landmark 10^th Copa America title might ultimately be beyond them.

Third Place (eliminated): Paraguay

Paraguay’s preparations for the Copa America have been far from ideal, and their return of three defeats from five World Cup qualification fixtures suggests they could struggle to make an impact this summer.

Daniel Garnero’s outfit have been toiling in the final third, and Paraguay failed to register in five of their last six assignments, with Premier League stars Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso among the Paraguayan attackers firing blanks.

Paraguay play Colombia and Brazil in their first two fixtures in Group D, and it’s difficult to see how they can compete with their opponents’ firepower.

To finish bottom: Costa Rica

Competing at a Copa America for the first time since 2016, Costa Rica will be eager to make a splash stateside, though on paper at least, they have the weakest squad in Group D.

Costa Rica have relied heavily on Keylor Navas’s reflexes between the sticks in recent years, though their keeper’s decision to retire from international football just a few weeks before the Copa America was a massive blow and his absence should be hard felt.

On a brighter note, Costa Rica finalised their preparations with back-to-back wins, though those friendly victories were achieved against microscopic outfits in the form of St. Kitts and Nevis (4-0) and Grenada (3-0).

Obviously, the standard will be monumentally higher in Group D. The outcome of the Costa Ricans’ matchday three bout with Paraguay on July 3^rd will likely determine who avoids finishing bottom in Group D.

Group D Winners – Potential quarter-final opponents

The winner of Copa America Group D will line up against the runner up from Group C in the quarter-finals in Arlington, Texas on 5 July, and with our predictions offering a guide, Colombia would be on course to face either Uruguay or host nation USA in that first knockout test.

Colombia tore the United States to shreds in Maryland in the lead-up to this summer’s tournament, and with that 5-1 thumping still fresh enough to have an impact, the Colombians would back themselves to see off the same opponents in the last eight.

That would not be the case if Uruguay lie in wait though. Colombia were held to a 2-2 draw by the Uruguayans when the sides last met in a World Cup qualifier last October, and in six previous meetings between the teams overall since 2016, Colombia have managed to emerge as victors just once.