After 13 days of group stage activity in Brazil, which included a blended sack of value and entertainment, Copa America is at long last ready for the quarterfinal stage and the guarantee of knockout, pull out all the stops or-return home South American drama.
Make no mistake about it: this is when the tournament truly begins.
Prior to the beginning of the competition, in light of how these countries were playing, the accord was that each team had vulnerabilities. Taking a gander at the last eight standing, the notion remains.
This shouldn’t imply that there aren’t groups that look superior to other people, however.
After a moderate begin, Brazil gave moments of true brilliance in its 5-0 demolition of Peru, and Carlos Queiroz’s Colombia awed subsequent to winning the majority of its group matches without yielding an goal. The reality remains, however, that nobody looks strong. The 46th version of Copa America is ready and taking.
Brazil vs Paraguay
Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET; Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre
As recently mentioned, Brazil failed to amaze in its initial two matches, yet against Peru, the excellence of Brazilian flair and offensive inventiveness was in plain view. Simply, Joga Bonito reemerged. The uplifting news for the Seleção is that this squad is presently using the majority of its weapons, as scoring opportunities are originating from all over. Everton Soares, most likely the youthful player of competition up until now, has been awesome on the left wing, as the 23-year-old aggressor has caused destruction, both as a supplier and objective scorer. It will be a stun in the event that he doesn’t move to Europe from Gremio in July. Be that as it may, the man who is genuinely crucial right now is Barcelona’s Arthur, assuming the role of designer in the midfield. Mentor Tite should make sense of who will secure his playmaking midfielder after Casemiro will miss this match because of suspension.
Paraguay, in the mean time, should feel amazingly fortunate it even made it this far as it just increased two points in the group stage. On account of Japan’s draw with Ecuador, however, it figured out how to press through as the subsequent third-place finisher. There’s much grit and assurance with Paraguay, and in Derlis Gonzalez and Miguel Almiron there have been some brilliant assaulting minutes, yet against an in-structure Brazil, it’s hard to see where the goals will originate from.
Venezuela vs Argentina
Friday, 3 p.m. ET; Estadio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
As referenced in our pre-competition power rankings, Venezuela has developed in strength and confidence in the course of the most recent two years, and Rafael Dudamel’s side isn’t just gifted, however it’s protectively trained, having just surrendered one goal in a gathering stage in which it went unbeaten. The 4-5-1 development isn’t just compelling so as to get the best out of the constantly great Salomon Rondon, yet it likewise delivers a strong midfield, ready to contain its rival’s most innovative players.
As for Argentina, the triumph against Qatar was increasingly about getting the job done as opposed to proving doubters wrong as Lionel Scaloni’s side still struggles to provide any kind of fluidity, especially in the midfield. With Lionel Messi, one ought to never underestimate this side, however don’t be astounded if Venezuela disappoints La Albiceleste once again, just like it did in a friendly back in March, when La Vinotinto came out victorious. If Argentina does advance–in the stadium where its 2014 World Cup dream ended in the final–then a tantalizing semifinal showdown vs. rival Brazil could be next.
Colombia vs Chile
Friday, 7 p.m. ET; Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Out of any country in the last eight, Reinaldo Rueda’s Chile has been the country that has amazed the most. This was supposed to be the tournament where La Roja, winners of the last two Copa America tournaments, would press the reset button with a transitional squad. Scratch that. It’s been the familiar faces of Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas becoming the dominant focal point in the competition. Rueda, a Colombian, knows too well the stuff to deal with its rival, having managed with the U-20 and senior team somewhere in the range of 2002 and 2006. What’s more, he will likewise know that Colombia hasn’t overlooked its 2-0 misfortune to Chile in the semifinal stage phase of 2016’s Copa America Centenario.
Chile will expect to be physical against its rival, diminish the number of crosses and limited the field, hoping to disturb the wide play. But this strategy is easier said than done, because this Colombian side is extremely dangerous and, most importantly, it’s deep. Only Juan Cuadrado has started all three matches, as Queiroz is a firm believer in creating unity and cohesion amongst every member of the team. However, for all the offensive capability, the Portuguese director has brought something new: organization. At the point when Colombia doesn’t have the ball, it looks sure and guaranteed of its shape, and that could be the distinction as it enters the knockout stage.
Uruguay vs Peru
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET; Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Subsequent to beating Chile 1-0 Monday and winning its group, Uruguay enters this matchup with well-known certainty. Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Seattle Sounders star Nicolas Lodeiro have been in great structure, scoring a joined five goals in the group stage. There have been, be that as it may, slips of fixation, as its 2-2 result against an extremely youthful Japanese side featured question marks at the back. Uruguay is solid, however it’s not indestructible.
Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez realizes that his team’s most grounded asset, its mindset, is the one trademark that is missing from Peru. The 5-0 loss to Brazil was an ideal case of how Ricardo Gareca’s side breaks down under pressure. If Peru has any chance of winning this game, it has to equal Uruguay’s tenacity and do-or-die approach. Changes to the squad should be made, as Jefferson Farfan left the competition because of knee damage that required prompt treatment. After failing to impress in training and dealing with disciplinary issues, Andre Carrillo has not started for La Blanquirroja so far in the competition, but the winger now has a great chance to prove to his manager that he is the one that can help his team reach the final four.
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