Colombia are touted as the dark horse of Copa America 2024 after not losing a game in any competition in two and half years. Néstor Lorenzo has worked wonders with the team that missed out on the 2022 World Cup and is now gunning for a resonating performance in the USA. Los Cafeteros will face last edition’s finalists Brazil, Paraguay and CONCACAF nation Costa Rica in Group D, hoping to get into the knockouts for the sixth consecutive edition.
History
After not participating in the first 14 editions and withdrawing from the next three, Colombia finally knocked on the door of Copa America in 1945 achieving fifth place in debut. The team also won the Championship in 2001 after failing in their first appearance in the final in 1975. Colombia finished third in the last edition, the same as in 2016 when USA last hosted the competition, beating Peru 3-2 in the thriller after getting knocked out in the semifinals by eventual winners Argentina. Luis Diaz became the joint top-scorer in the tournament alongside Lionel Messi with four goals. The country’s leading goalscorer in Copa America though is Arnoldo Iguarán with 10 strikes while Leonel Álvarez and icon Carlos Valderrama played the most matches with 27.
Preparation for Copa America 2024
Colombia are carrying an incredible 22-game unbeaten run and a seven-game winning streak to the tournament. Lorenzo has managed 19 matches since taking charge in June 2022 with the team sensationally beating the likes of Germany, Brazil and Spain in that period. Colombia has been incredibly balanced, scoring 36 goals under the Argentinian and conceding just 12 while keeping nine clean sheets. The Tricolor are also placed third in the 2026 World Cup qualifying group and is the only side to have not lost a game in the competition till now.
Colombia squad for Copa America 2024
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Al Nassr), Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Álvaro Montero (Millonarios)
Defenders: Carlos Cuesta (Genk), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Santiago Arias (Bahia), Johan Mojica (Osasuna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Mateus Uribe (Al Sadd), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Deiver Machado (Lens)
Midfielders: Kevin Castaño (Krasnodar), Richard Ríos (Palmeiras), Jorge Carrascal (Dynamo Moscow), James Rodríguez (São Paulo), Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Juan Quintero (Racing), Yáser Asprilla (Watford)
Forwards: Luis Díaz (Liverpool), Jhon Durán (Aston Villa), Luis Sinisterra (Bournemouth), Rafael Borré (Internacional), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar)
Captain: James Rodríguez
Manager: Néstor Lorenzo
How will Colombia Lineup at Copa America 2024?
Néstor Lorenzo’s side will line up in their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with direct football and versatility in their style of play. The team has not failed to score since October 2023 making the attack their greatest strength in the competition. Liverpool’s flashy winger Luis Diaz is at the heart of it with 17 goals for the club this past season while evergreen star James Rodríguez hoping to bring his class to a major tournament despite a decline in form.
Colombia Fixtures for Copa America 2024
Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Colombia vs Paraguay - NRG Stadium, Texas (03:30)
Saturday, 29 June 2024
Colombia vs Costa Rica - State Farm Stadium, Arizona (03:30)
Monday, 1 July 2024
Brazil vs Colombia - Levi's Stadium, California (06:30)
Prediction
With such a motivating run and chasing records, Colombia will wish to come out of their second-best syndrome against the other biggies in major tournaments to have a shot at the title. Lorenzo’s team surprised a few in the last two years and will want to recapture their success of the 2014 World Cup with the momentum in hand. Finishing in the top two should not be a problem for the side that has the potential to move into the final even though nerves will be tested against Uruguay or holders Argentina with Brazil in the group.
