Euro 2024 is coming to its final stages, and as England starts to find some momentum, two other nations are being coached to the South American equivalent that has had some success here in the EFL.
The Copa America is also at its semi-final stage and some of the favoured teams have struggled, similar to ones in the tournament on this continent. There has though been one shock nation that has surpassed expectations.
Building towards being one of the host nations in the 2026 World Cup, Canada has managed to qualify for the final four. This may be a surprise to followers of Leeds United as they are being managed by Jesse Marsch. On the flip side to this is that Uruguay are progressing with relative ease under the watchful eye of Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds United saw differing levels of style and fortune when they had these men in charge. No arguing their football acumen though. Their personalities are infectious and now in charge of national sides, it is clear to see that they have had an uptick in terms of success.
Canada will face Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday morning, a team that got the better of them in their opening game, 2-0. That game left a sour taste in Marsch’s mouth, and this could lead to some feisty exchanges when they meet again, and TalkSport told of his frustration.
“When they were waiting [at half time] I knew that they were watching a video and they were analysing how they wanted to play against us. Now, I wish again, the referees would manage that. If we were five minutes late, we’d get a fine. There’d be a big problem. Let’s see what happens with Argentina. I think they have to be fined.
“How late were they? You guys? 20 minutes? 30? I don’t know. It was a long time. But they had that time to prepare how they wanted to play against us in the second half, which if we would have known ahead of time that we could have an extra ten minutes then we could have prepared some things more.”
Así quedó el cuadro del torneo de selecciones más antiguo del mundo 😍 pic.twitter.com/EGrA385C9m
— CONMEBOL Copa América™️ (@CopaAmerica) July 7, 2024
Canada beat Venezuela on penalties in the last round, just as Argentina had to survive that drama against Ecuador.
Bielsa has also had to endure a shootout and saw his Uruguayans edge past Brazil after a goalless encounter. RTE Sport reported after the win, “Everything that happens, happens Uruguayan style, because the players are the ones that give their all to the team.
“It was a match with very little goal opportunities, highly contested, very close, even with very little changes in possession. So holding on to that result as the Uruguayan team did shows the profile of Uruguayan football. And they were very calm in the penalty shootout that demands not only accuracy but also character.”
Uruguay now play Colombia, a match that will be played early Thursday morning.
Writer’s View
Leeds United were spoilt when they had Marsch and Bielsa in charge. Their different approach to the game was a welcome change for a side that had been languishing far too long in the EFL. Although they eventually had some good times in the Premier League, it was Marsch who fell on his sword and was sacked with Leeds struggling at the wrong end of the table leading to relegation.
It would perhaps be fitting if they could face off against each other in the Copa America final, but they start their semi-final games as underdogs. I wonder how many Leeds would take away to a final in Miami?