4⃣ big questions before the Copa América semi-finals

International football continues to deliver results and the Copa América returns with Argentina facing Canada and Colombia facing Uruguay in the semi-finals.

Here are four big questions ahead of the expected theatrics.

Can Messi reach the last final with Argentina?

He won the Copa América and he won the World Cup. So what does another final mean for Lionel Messi? Well, that might mean more than you think.

We didn’t see the Inter Miami star’s best football during the tournament. Even with the alien talents he hones and his off-the-ball influence, the poor stats speak for themselves.

Zero goals, one assist and one missed penalty so far are all the evidence you need to know that Messi’s eventual retirement is approaching. The beginning of a natural end to a remarkable career. So it makes this semi-final that much sweeter.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner previously admitted the 2022 World Cup was his last. It means a second successive Copa América final this summer could be his last chance to lift another trophy with Argentina.

The captain’s influence over his companions reflects that of a God. If this time he is unable to do everything himself, Emiliano Martinez, Lautaro Martinez and others will take care of handing it over to the captain they adore. As they already did.

What a scene it would be for Argentina to say ‘Thank you, Messi’, giving them one last chance at international glory by defeating Canada.

Argentina have reached the semi-finals in seven of the last eight major tournaments and have won their last 10 matches against CONCACAF opponents without conceding a goal.

Can Canada pull off the upset of the century?

It’s difficult to summarize what Canada’s qualification to the Copa América semi-finals means for the country. Welcome challenges, landmark goals and historic turnarounds, a new day has arrived.

Coach Jesse Marsch has only been in charge for six games, which means he still doesn’t understand who this team is and what it can do. However, he has already led Canada into history. They are the fourth CONCACAF team to reach the semifinals and the third to do so on their debut.

The Canucks showed the football world that there is nothing for them to fear. They faced champions Argentina in their Copa América opener and now face the World Cup champions again with a plan on what to expect.

It took courage, mental fortitude and most importantly, belief for Canadians to get here. Hopefully they will improve things with the final on the line.

Since Qatar 2022, Canada has revealed itself one star at a time. Newly appointed captain Alphonso Davies is taking on a new weight of responsibility, Jacob Shaffelburg has emerged as a decisive player on the international stage and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau practically stood up to make impressive saves.

They haven’t given up on their faith inside the locker room and, according to Marsch, are an incredibly tight-knit unit, even after winger Tajon Buchanan broke his leg midway through the tournament.

They set the heart of the country on fire – and it will burn for a long time if they manage to bring about the turnaround of the century.

What will happen to Colombia if you isolate James Rodriguez?

As the maestro of arguably the tournament’s most convincing team, Uruguay must prioritize stopping James Rodríguez’s magic in midfield.

No team has managed to do that when facing Colombia, and the captain subsequently took the Copa América stage and made it the platform to reinvent himself.

The São Paulo star has struggled at club level, but this summer he has become a confident and creative performer with the ball at his feet for the national team.

Rodriguez has played eight matches for Colombia in 2024 and eight for the Brazilian club in all competitions. The difference? He has recorded the most assists, most shots and most fouls on the international stage.

His one goal and five assists so far equal Lionel Messi’s in the 2011 edition of the tournament, and he currently tops the charts for most chances created (14).

So what will happen to Colombia if you take the axis out of the equation? As we saw, Luis Diaz, Richard Rios and Davinson Sanchez can deliver. They are expected to perform at a high level as Uruguay are expected to isolate Rodriguez.

With their impressive 27-game unbeaten run on the line and their sights set on the final, Colombia need all their stars.

Can Uruguay survive its toughest test ever?

During the group stage of the Copa América, Uruguay emerged as one of the most complete teams in the tournament.

With a perfect winning streak and an advantage of nine goals scored compared to just one conceded, the title of ‘Favourites’ was theirs. Until they faced a difficult opponent.

Scrappy certainly defines the battle with Brazil in the quarter-finals. It was a terrifying 90 minutes of hectic, dirty action that was difficult to digest. The match ended with an impressive 41 fouls, including Nahitan Nández sent off for a dangerous challenge on Rodrygo.

Interestingly, this type of performance occurred against Uruguay’s toughest opponent. Bolivia, Panama and the United States were comparatively left aside.

Although largely a shadow of the power we know, Brazil still managed to stifle Uruguay’s influence in the game. So what about Marcelo Bielsa’s men if they had to resort to this style just to survive penalties?

Doing just enough will not be the answer against a fluid Colombian team in the semi-finals. It’s time for Fede Valverde, Darwin Nunez, Manuel Ugarte, Sergio Rochet and others to unlock a new level of quality to reach the final and potentially win it all.