So the natural order prevailed in the Copa America – apart from Mexico’s abysmal and (literally) pointless display, the usual suspects survived the cut. However, not without creating some mouth-watering clashes in the tournament quarterfinals that could open the way for some giant killing. First of all, Argentina and Uruguay will lock horns this Saturday in Santa Fé and one of them will kiss goodbye to the chase of a record ninth South American crown, as well as a spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup. On Sunday, Brazil will face a Paraguayan team who should have inflicted the five time World Champions their second defeat in three matches in last week’s meeting.
But the weekend also includes two intriguing match-ups: Colombia x Peru (Sat) and Chile x Venezuela (Sun). While the former will be an interesting duel between the only side apart from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to have won the Copa America since Paraguay in 1979 and the 1975 champions, the latter pairs up the two most surprising sides of the tournament. Chile, by the own admission of Brazil manager Mano Menezes, has played the best football so far while Venezuela managed to hold the Brazilians to a goaless draw and then stage a gusty comeback from 3-1 down to draw with the Paraguayans.
But the weekend also includes two intriguing match-ups: Colombia x Peru (Sat) and Chile x Venezuela (Sun). While the former will be an interesting duel between the only side apart from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to have won the Copa America since Paraguay in 1979 and the 1975 champions, the latter pairs up the two most surprising sides of the tournament. Chile, by the own admission of Brazil manager Mano Menezes, has played the best football so far while Venezuela managed to hold the Brazilians to a goaless draw and then stage a gusty comeback from 3-1 down to draw with the Paraguayans.
Four games where the outcome is pretty much unpredictable. But since Soccer Banter fans demand my clairvoyant powers, here it goes: With Messi showing signs of finally settling in a Argentina side that won’t play for him like the Barcelona team mates, the hosts will beat Uruguay by a nose. Brazil will scrape through Paraguay providing Julio Cesar and the centre-backs don’t have meltdowns. Colombia should be able to prevail against Peru thanks to a more balanced side (three goals scored and none conceded in three matches), while Venezuela will be the big surprise by frustrating Chile the same way they did with Brazil in Group B.
Let the games begin.
Let the games begin.
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