Copa America quarterfinals preview: Predictions, key gamers and what to observe for
We’re right down to the ultimate eight groups within the Copa America. Visitor nations Japan and Qatar have gone dwelling however we’re left with the giants of South American soccer like Argentina, Uruguay and hosts Brazil, in addition to unfancied groups like Venezuela and Paraguay.
Right here is the lowdown on every of the 4 quarterfinal clashes (all stay on ESPN+).
Bounce to: Brazil vs. Paraguay | Argentina vs. Venezuela | Colombia vs. Chile | Uruguay vs. Peru
Brazil vs. Paraguay
WHERE: Gremio Area, Porto Alegre
WHEN: Thursday, 6/27, eight:30 p.m. ET stay on ESPN+
THE STORY SO FAR: Brazil misplaced their current (Neymar) and future (Vinicius Jr.) stars forward of the match however nonetheless took seven of 9 factors within the group stage. The truth is, other than a nervy begin within the opener in opposition to Bolivia and a few missed probabilities (and nice goalkeeping) in opposition to Venezuela, they might have made it three out of three.
It is tempting to say Paraguay superior as Paraguay typically do by way of the outdated components of physicality, attrition and the generosity of a match format that permits you qualify for the quarterfinals with out profitable a sport. And, in actual fact, since 2007, they’ve gained simply two of 23 main match matches. That stated, they did squander a late two-goal lead in opposition to Qatar and, relative to previous iterations, this Paraguay is barely simpler on the attention. Barely.
BRAZIL WILL ADVANCE IF… They bear in mind who they’re and why they’re right here. The expertise hole is clear and the addition of prolific extensive males like Gabriel Jesus and Everton allows you to get away with a helpful entrance man who does not rating, very similar to Roberto Firmino. All they should is be affected person and execute and in any case, Tite has sufficient weapons off the bench to discover a resolution if his starters don’t get it achieved.
The Copa America’s knockouts begin Thursday and all the highest groups are nonetheless alive heading into the quarterfinals. ESPN Illustration
PARAGUAY WILL ADVANCE IF… Coach Eduardo Berizzo finds the appropriate stability between the soccer he desires to play (open, movement-oriented) and the soccer he must play (batten down the hatches, our bodies in entrance of the aim). Which means creating density in entrance of the aim, making the pitch massive once you regain possession, discovering Miguel Almiron and letting whichever massive man leads the road — Federico Santander or Oscar Cardozo — do his factor within the air. It is not a lot, but it surely’s what they have.
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KEY MAN, BRAZIL: Philippe Coutinho
He has blown cold and warm on this Copa America, an enchancment over his Barcelona kind (which was principally chilly and chilly). However Tite has religion in him, conserving Lucas Paqueta on the shelf and beginning him in each sport. Ought to see loads of the ball.
KEY MAN, PARAGUAY: Miguel Almiron
He has the flip of tempo and the power to search out teammates on the counter which can be just about Paraguay’s solely menace, aside from set items. He must be concerned at each alternative.
PREDICTION: Brazil Three-Zero Paraguay
That is what logic says however historical past says in any other case. Paraguay have gained penalty shootouts in opposition to Brazil in every of their final two Copa America conferences (2011 and 2015). However to paraphrase Henry Ford, “Historical past is kind of bunk.”
Venezuela vs. Argentina
WHERE: Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
WHEN: Friday, 6/28, Three p.m. ET stay on ESPN+
THE STORY SO FAR: Lengthy the confederation whipping boys, who have been outdoors FIFA’s prime 100 for a lot of the 1990s, Venezuela aren’t any pushover today and emerged by means of the group undefeated, holding Brazil to a draw alongside the way in which.
In the meantime Argentina’s Copa America seems to be so much like their Russia 2018 dumpster hearth regardless of Lionel Scaloni’s finest efforts to clean up the workforce. Overwhelmed by Colombia and needing a penalty save to keep away from defeat to Paraguay, they scraped by means of because of a win over Qatar. They’re going to be hoping it is like hitting the reset button and that their match begins proper right here, proper now.
VENEZUELA WILL ADVANCE IF… Salomon Rondon’s dimension and motion wreaks havoc with Argentina’s simply frazzled again line. To do that, they’re going to must disrupt the opposing midfield sufficient to starve the availability to the entrance and Robocop skipper Tomas Rincon will likely be key in doing so.
ARGENTINA WILL ADVANCE IF… Lionel Messi dropping into midfield to mix with Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul does sufficient to create alternatives for the entrance males (or, certainly, Messi himself) whereas additionally offering sufficient cowl for the again 4, significantly in the case of runners from midfield.
KEY MAN, VENEZUELA: Wuilker Farinez
Solely 21 years outdated however is the form of goalkeeper who retains you in video games frequently. His agility and positioning are distinctive and he performs with a confidence and a self-assuredness of a person 10 years his senior.
KEY MAN, ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi
Who else? You actually need to learn phrases about why he is necessary? OK then… If Scaloni, as anticipated, goes with the Sergio Aguero-Lautaro Martinez partnership up entrance, it can go away Messi with the liberty (and duty) to search out area the place he can do injury.
PREDICTION: Venezuela Zero-1 Argentina
They don’t seem to be fairly clicking but, however we’re seeing progress. And so they’ve received Messi.
Colombia vs. Chile
WHERE: Area Corinthians, Sao Paulo
WHEN: Friday, 6/28, 7 p.m. ET, stay on ESPN+
THE STORY SO FAR: Colombia sailed by means of their group with three wins, although the one in opposition to Qatar wasn’t fairly as comfy they usually rested a number of gamers in opposition to Paraguay. Nonetheless, there’s loads of high quality and expertise, plus a savvy supervisor in Carlos Queiroz who has made the appropriate adjustments on the proper time.
Chile gained their first two video games earlier than making a calculated threat and leaving out a number of starters who have been a reserving away from a suspension in opposition to Uruguay (a sport they misplaced). There’s nonetheless loads of holdovers from the facet that gained this competitors in 2015, however the high-energy fashion of years previous beneath Jorge Sampaoli and Marcelo Bielsa is gone as this workforce is now older and has misplaced a step.
COLOMBIA WILL ADVANCE IF… Yerry Mina wins the one-on-one battle in opposition to Alexis Sanchez on the again (or higher but, Colombia defend so effectively as a workforce, he is by no means on his personal in opposition to him) and, on the different finish, they win their particular person battles, particularly Juan Cuadrado extensive and James Rodriguez within the gap. There’s an excessive amount of expertise right here for it to not shine by means of.
CHILE WILL ADVANCE IF… They will flip the sport into one in every of nerves and attrition, the place their superior expertise (they’ve six gamers with no less than 100 caps) could be decisive. It is like these black-and-white movies through which they get the outdated gang collectively for one final rating…
KEY MAN, COLOMBIA: James Rodriguez
He is a distinct participant in a Colombia shirt and Queiroz has constructed a framework round him that masks his weaknesses whereas additionally exploiting his strengths. Whether or not it is creating or ending, he is the value-added part on this Colombia line-up.
KEY MAN, CHILE: Alexis Sanchez
His two objectives for Chile on this Copa America are as many as he scored for Manchester United final season. He seems to be sharp and motivated and nonetheless has that burst if they will get him in harmful conditions.
PREDICTION: Colombia 2-1 Chile
We have seen Colombia flatter to deceive up to now however Queiroz has too many choices and an excessive amount of high quality to get this incorrect.
Uruguay vs. Peru
WHERE: Area Fonte Nova, Salvador
WHEN: Saturday, 6/28, Three p.m. ET, stay on ESPN+
THE STORY SO FAR…: The outdated grasp Oscar Tabarez, now in his 13th 12 months as Uruguay boss, blended youth and expertise correctly in a bunch stage that, other than a 2-2 draw and scare in opposition to Japan, noticed his facet cruise by means of with out hitting any pace bumps.
Peru began effectively in opposition to Venezuela creating loads, earlier than dispatching Bolivia after which getting spanked by Brazil. Ricardo Gareca likes his groups to run, however with strikers Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero aged 34 and 35 respectively, they should tempo themselves.
URUGUAY WILL ADVANCE IF… They preserve a gentle provide for his or her skilled entrance pair of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, which implies clamping down the midfield and never letting Peru out of their half. Defensively, issues ought to care for themselves and the likes of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez are additionally threats on the different finish.
PERU WILL ADVANCE IF… They do not permit Uruguay’s deep and dynamic midfield to impose themselves and maintain them on the again foot both with Luis Advincula’s runs or, presumably, some Christian Cueva magic to set off Guerrero and/or Farfan.
KEY MAN, URUGUAY: Edinson Cavani
His pin-balling between midfield and assault helps Uruguay generate man benefits in each areas and he works tirelessly off the ball, permitting Luis Suarez and Nicolas Lodeiro to choose their spots. Oh and he scores loads too.
KEY MAN, PERU: Renato Tapia
He is the man with the hard-hat, the blue-collar hero with the legs to maintain it collectively shielding the again 4 and cueing the assault when Peru win again the ball. It should be a busy night time for him in opposition to the spiky Uruguayan midfield.
PREDICTION: Uruguay 2-Zero Peru
Tabarez has loads of high quality on the again and up entrance and a few hungry younger midfielders desperate to make their mark. Peru are merely overmatched right here.