Copa America Final Betting Preview
After unbelievable upsets, historic runs, and plenty of gritty play, we’re down to the final two teams in the 2024 Copa America. It’s a classic matchup between a titan of South American soccer in a Lionel Messi-led Argentina, and a team whose hunger and perseverance has brought forth a renewed level of success, in Colombia. Argentina is going for their third straight major title and hope to be able to get it while Messi is in the twilight of his career. As for Colombia, they’re on a 28-game surge; the last team to beat them way back in 2022 was Argentina.
The final is set for Sunday at Miami Gardens, Florida. Tune in at 8 PM ET on FOX to see which team will be named champions of CONMEBOL. We’re going over everything that has led to the final leg of the tournament in this Copa America Final betting preview.
Tournament Highlights
Canada’s performance at Copa America caught everyone by surprise. This was the Nation’s first time qualifying for the tournament and they entered as the 11th– ranked club. Only two teams in the history of Copa America managed to advance from the group stage in their debut appearances (Honduras and Mexico), so not much was expected from the Canadians.
Drawing into Group A with Argentina, Chile and Peru, Canada advanced to the knockout stage with a loss to Argentina, a victory over Peru and a draw against Chile. Amazingly, their Cinderella run carried on in the quarterfinals, where they beat Venezuela on a penalty shootout. Canada had to re-face Argentina in the semifinals, and that was where their run ended with a 2-0 loss.
Biggest Upsets
USA (-260) vs Panama (+750)
Playing on home soil at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, USA were big favourites in their group stage match against Panama, but that’s not how things panned out. An early goal revoked by VAR and the absence of Timothy Weah, who was ejected with a red card, proved to be too much for the host country, who lost 2-1.
Mexico (+115) vs Venezuela (+280)
Although Venezuela possessed the ball for just 38.8% of the game against Mexico, they capitalized on some key chances and defended well. Their leading scorer, Salomon Rondon got the first goal via a penalty. Mexico had their chance with a penalty at the end of the game, but Venezuelan goaltender Rafael Romo made the save and collected a clean sheet in the process.
Brazil (+165) vs Uruguay (+215)
Brazil faced underdog Uruguay in the quarterfinals and both teams were unable to get on the scoresheet. It was a physical game, with 41 fouls committed, the vast majority coming from Uruguay. Brazil got an upper hand near the end of the game when Uruguay had to play one-man short, but it went to a penalty shootout, and Uruguay came away victorious.
Star Players
Argentina: Lionel Messi
The biggest star on the field will be Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old 8X Ballon d-Or winner may not be having his strongest Copa America run, but he’s still the catalyst for Argentina’s offensive attack. Messi registered an assist against Canada in the group stage, and then broke fans’ hearts when he chipped the ball off the top bar in a penalty against Ecuador in the quarterfinals. He redeemed himself when he scored a goal in Argentina’s victory over Canada in the semifinals.
Colombia: James Rodriguez
Columbia had no star players heading into the tournament, but a new coach and a totally revitalized James Rodriguez have become the heart of the team. Rodriguez has shaken off his decade-long struggle in club play to rise to the occasion for Colombia. He’s No. 1 in assists in the tournament with six—a record previously held by Messi—and added a goal in the quarterfinal match against Panama. Rodriguez has returned to form and is arguably the top player in the tournament.
Argentina vs Columbia: Final Odds
Argentina checks in as the favourite for the final in Bodog’s soccer odds. They’re +125 on the moneyline, meaning a $100 bet would yield a $125 payout. Colombia are pegged as +275 underdogs, so they’d pay $275 on a $100 bet at those odds. The draw is an appealing option at +195. Colombia drew against Brazil in the group stage. Argentina drew against Ecuador in the quarterfinals.
The goal total is set at 2.0, with the over priced at -102 and the under at -118.
The spread has quarterball odds with Argentina set at 0, -0.5 (-115) and Colombia at 0, +0.5 (-105). Quarterball betting wagers are split in half, with one half going to either set of odds.
Argentina +125
Columbia +275
Draw +195
Total:
O 2.0 (-102)
U 2.0 (-118)
Argentina Tournament So Far
Argentina entered this tournament as the team to beat. They won the last Copa America in 2021 and then won the World Cup in 2022. At 37-years-old, Messi is in the later stages of his career and is eager to earn a third title while he’s still competitive.
Argentina started the tournament with total dominance. In their Group A stage, they won all of their games, scored five goals and didn’t concede a single tally. All of the goals came from Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.
The quarterfinal matchup against Ecuador proved to be a tougher challenge for Argentina. La Albiceleste lost their lead in stoppage time and had to go to penalties. Messi took the first penalty, but chipped it off the bar. Fortunately, the four Argentinian players after him all scored.
In the semi-finals, Argentina faced Canada, who they beat 2-0 in the debut match of the tournament. Julian Alvarez scored in the 22nd minute, and then Messi redirected a shot from Enzo Fernandez in the 51st minute to score his first goal of the tournament.
If Argentina wins on Sunday, they will join Spain as the only nation with three straight major titles.
Colombia Tournament So Far
Colombia is experiencing a wild stretch that coincides with the hiring of a new manager in Nestor Lorenzo in 2022. Since March of 2022, Los Cafeteros have gone undefeated in 28 games and counting.
They drew into the Group of Death, alongside Brazil, Paraguay and Costa Rica for the group stage of Copa America. They beat Costa Rica 3-0 with no issue, and then built a 2-0 lead against Paraguay, who cut the deficit to 2-1 with a goal at the 69th minute. Brazil posed a greater challenge, but the draw was sufficient to progress to the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Colombia totally outclassed Panama, winning 5-0, with goals from five different players. They faced Uruguay in the semifinals and faced a tremendous challenge while trying to protect a lead down one man in the second half after Daniel Munoz was ejected at the end of the first half when he received his second yellow card of the match. Columbia held on through to secure the victory, but unfortunately, their celebration was marred by a brawl between players and spectators.