Football News: Dramatic Changes to Copa America Knockout Stage
In a bold move, the Copa America organizers CONCACAF have announced the scrapping of extra-time for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the tournament. This unprecedented decision is set to have a significant impact on the dynamics of the remaining matches, according to our football experts.
The new rule states that any games level after 90 minutes will now proceed directly to a penalty shootout, with the exception of the final. This change is expected to create a different style of play, with teams more likely to opt for a defensive approach and aim for a draw, knowing they can rely on the lottery of penalties to progress.
“Parking the bus is a tactic favored by many lesser sides, one that so often proves effective when battling for a draw,” our expert explains. “With extra-time now removed, the underdogs will have a better chance to scrape their way through matches, as they can go straight to penalties, which they’ll back themselves to win.”
This development opens up two valuable markets for punters. Firstly, draw bets and ‘Winner of the Tie’ bets could offer strong value, as teams prioritize securing a stalemate over pushing for a win. Secondly, the likelihood of low-scoring games increases, with defenses focused on preserving a clean sheet rather than going all-out for goals.
“If one side is resolute enough in their defensive efforts, even the best side will struggle to score, potentially only being able to put a single goal past their opponents,” our expert says. “With their eyes squarely trained on the 90-minute mark, hoping to battle through, we are unlikely to see too many high-scoring games, something that could be exploited by betting on the under.”
As the Copa America knockout stage kicks off, football fans and bettors alike are in for a thrilling and unpredictable ride, with the elimination of extra-time set to transform the dynamics of the competition.
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