Bolivia vs Panama

Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando sets the stage for Panama’s must-win 2024 Copa America showdown against CONMEBOL minnows Bolivia.

Bolivia can’t catch a break at Copa America, with their last win at the tournament dating back nine years ago to the 2015 edition when they reached the quarter-finals. It’s been all doom and gloom ever since as they’ve lost all 12 Copa America fixtures in the aftermath, including two in this season’s group stages. After a 2-0 defeat to the United States and a 5-0 demolition at the hands of Uruguay, Carlos Alberto Zago’s men need a miracle to make it to the knockouts. However, a woeful run of five consecutive losses, which forms part of a more ominous pattern featuring 11 defeats from their last 12 internationals (W1), suggests they’ll likely crash out of the group stages rather unceremoniously.

Unlike their upcoming opposition, Panama could make their best result at Copa America if they can uphold a morale-boosting four-game winning streak against Bolivia. Despite commencing the tournament with a 3-1 thumping to Uruguay, Los Canaleros defied the odds on matchday two to beat the US 2-1 after conceding the opener. Thomas Christiansen’s side must better the host nation’s result against Uruguay to reach the Copa America quarter-finals for the first time in only their second appearance. Interestingly, the last time they played at Copa America, their only group-stage win came against Bolivia, highlighting Panama’s enthusiasm ahead of this pivotal clash. The North Americans head into proceedings in high spirits having won nine of their last 14 internationals (D1, L4).