Copa América 2015 – Quarter-Finals preview

Copa América 2015 – Quarter-Finals preview [VIDEO]

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With the group stage of the 2015 Copa América in Chile now over, the identity of the eight teams who will contest the tournament’s quarter-final stage has now been revealed. We were treated to a myriad of shocks and milestones during the initial phase of the South American showpiece, including Bolivia recording their first Copa América victory since 1997 when they defeated Ecuador, and the mercurial Lionel Messi celebrating his 100th Argentina cap at the age of just 27.

Venezuela, who shocked the continent by defeating Colombia 1-0 in their opening match, are one of the tournament’s four group stage casualties, along with Ecuador, Mexico, and competition debutants Jamaica. The knockout phase of this edition of the Copa América already promises to be one of the best in recent memory, with the quarter-final stage featuring some mouth-watering fixtures. One of the many beauties of this tournament is it’s sheer unpredictability, as we saw in the group stage on numerous occasions when shock results were the order of the day. Will hosts Chile finally win their first title on home soil? Or will tournament favourites Argentina set the record straight and draw themselves level with Uruguay on 15 Copa América titles? All will be revealed in the next week and a half of action in the world’s oldest international football competition.

Chile vs Uruguay – Estadio Nacional, Santiago

Tournament hosts Chile have been arguably the team of the tournament so far, topping Group A as many expected. The four-time runners up will face defending champions Uruguay, who qualified from Group B as one of the two best third-placed teams, in what is certainly one of the more eye-catching quarter-final fixtures. Chile are comfortably the highest scorers in the tournament so far, netting 10 times in three group games, which included a 5-0 destruction of Bolivia in their last group match. Jorge Sampaoli’s men will not find it easy against the competitions record champions, however, as Uruguay demonstrated against Argentina just how difficult they can be to break down. But in Alexis Sánchez, Chile boast a player who is able to turn a match on it’s head at the drop of a hat. This has the potential to be a tight match, as well as very tough to call, but with the form La Roja are in, do not bet against the hosts dethroning the champions in the nation’s capital.

https://youtu.be/32zzbbyJfEM

Bolivia vs Peru – Estadio Municipal Germán Becker, Temuco

1963 champions Bolivia were widely expected to be the whipping boys of Group A, but shocked the world when they defeated Ecuador 3-2 in Valaparaíso, while Peru’s 1-0 win over Venezuela and subsequent 0-0 draw with Colombia ensured Ricardo Gareca’s men finished above Los Cafeteros in Group B. Both teams unexpectedly finished second in their group, however, it is two-time champions Peru who will enter the match as favourites, boasting an impressive frontline featuring Bayern Munich legend Claudio Pizarro and new Flamengo signing Paolo Guerrero, as well as tricky, pacey wingers such as Yordy Reyna and Alianza Lima’s Christian Cueva. La Blanquirroja embarked on an impressive run to third place at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, while Bolivia have not made it out of the group stage since they finished as runners up to a Ronaldo-inspired Brazil in the 1997 Copa América.

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Argentina vs Colombia – Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar

Fourteen-time champions Argentina face José Pékerman’s Colombia in what is certainly the tournament’s most highly anticipated quarter-final fixture. Tata Martino’s Albiceleste entered the tournament as favourites, but despite boasting a phenomenally talented team, failed to convince many of their quality in the group stage, despite finishing top of Group B. It was a similar story for 2001 champions Colombia, who came into the tournament with the arguably the strongest team in the history of Colombian football, but only just managed to escape Group C as the other best third-placed team in the tournament alongside Uruguay. Both teams showed glimpses of their quality when Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0 and Colombia atoned revenge on Brazil by defeating them 1-0 in their respective group stage matches, but this showdown could take on a very different complexion. Despite the pitch being littered with world class talent, it is hard to look past this Argentina side, who are well-capable of delivering the nation’s first Copa América title since 1993 – the same year Colombia dismantled them 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

Messi earned his 100th Argentina cap against Jamaica
Messi earned his 100th Argentina cap against Jamaica

Brazil vs Paraguay – Estadio Municipal de Concepción, Concepción

The biggest talking point of the Copa América since the conclusion of the second round of group matches has been how significant Neymar’s loss will be in Brazil’s quest to capture a ninth Copa América title. The Seleção captain will miss the rest of the tournament through suspension after an incident against Colombia, but Dunga’s men still managed to finish top of Group C nevertheless.

Suspension has put early an end to the Brazil captain's tournament
Suspension has put early an end to the Brazil captain’s tournament

Their quarter-final opponents will be 2011 runners-up Paraguay, who shocked Argentina by coming back from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw against the favourites, on their way to finishing second in Group B. Los Guaraníes have been crowned Copa América champions on two occasions, and are well known for their resilience and ability to defy the odds. This promises to be a fascinating match up and could go either way, with both sides featuring many experienced stars, despite Brazil being noticeably stronger on paper.

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