Thursday 25 June 2015 08:55, UK
Ahead of the Copa America knockout stages, we preview each of the four matches taking place in the quarter-finals.
Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Paraguay are all still in with a chance of winning the tournament; each with a story to tell and the belief they can go on and lift the trophy.
Chile have already qualified at the expense of Uruguay, Argentina are the favourites and Bolivia are the underdogs.
We've looked at the lessons to be learned from the group stages so what's in store for the sides who made it through? The timings might be awkward for followers this side of the Atlantic but you'll be able to follow all of the ties with our live blog.
Bolivia vs Peru (June 26, 00:30)
Chile will play either Bolivia or Peru, who face off in a quarter-final of their own on Thursday night.
380 miles south of the capital lies Temuco, and the Estadio Municipal German Becker. Bolivia vs Peru is arguably the least high-profile of the four quarter-finals – at least, it doesn’t have a top 10-ranked team like the other matches.
In fact, Peru are ranked 61st, while opponents Bolivia are 89th, but there is a magnificent chance for one of the so-called ‘minnows’ to reach the latter stages of the tournament.
Bolivia, despite a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Chile in their final group match, finished second in Group A and produced a fine display to beat Ecuador 3-2 in their second match.
Striker Marcelo Martins Moreno, who plays his club football for Changchun Yatai in China, believes Bolivia have what it takes to move through to the semi-finals.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: “We look forward to showing what we are doing as a group. It is a tough and important game for our country, but we know the potential we have when the team wants to show their best.
“It will not be easy, we have to work hard to win, but it would be a dream to move to the semis.”
Peru have also impressed thus far, recording a win over Venezuela and a credible draw against Colombia to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Ricardo Gareca, Peru coach, believes his side are only getting better. Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, he said: “I feel that we have the potential and the guys know, from there we can do better.
“We are convinced that we will grow. We are in a period of growth and now face a team that is on top. We played an interesting game and I think over time we can deliver many more.”
Bolivia are 100/30 with Sky Bet to come through in 90 minutes, while opponents Peru are 19/20. Bayern Munich forward Claudio Pizarro scored the only goal of the game as Peru beat Venezuela in the group stages, and the 36-year-old is 5/1 to score first in this one, too.
Argentina vs Colombia (June 27, 00:30)
Each quarter-final match has its own billing, and this is certainly a clash of the titans. Argentina and Colombia both occupy a place in the top five of the world rankings, with Argentina sitting one place above their opponents in third. They are, on paper, the best two teams in South America.
Argentina, with a front three of Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi, topped Group B but not perhaps with the dominance that many expected.
Following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Paraguay in their first game, La Albiceleste went on to beat Uruguay and Jamaica by a single goal to book their place in the knockout stages.
There has been a change to the Argentina squad, following the injury to Napoli goalkeeper Mariano Andujar. He fractured his wrist while warming up against Jamaica, and has been replaced as second-choice goalkeeper by Agustin Marchesin.
Colombia, despite their ranking and recent performances, have endured a stuttering campaign so far, only qualifying for the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition.
After a worrying defeat by Venezuela in their opening match, they saved their blushes with a 1-0 win over Brazil, courtesy of a single Jeison Murillo goal. Three points against Peru in their final match would have seen them safely through, but they could only manage a goalless draw, leaving their fate in the hands of Brazil and Venezuela.
Brazil’s 2-1 triumph was enough to see Colombia through as one of the two best third-placed teams, but they will certainly need to improve to progress to the last four.
Sky Bet list Argentina as the favourites to progress, and you can get them at 10/11 to win in 90 minutes, while opponents Colombia are 100/30.
Main man Lionel Messi has never really produced his club form on the international stage, but if you fancy him to start firing on all cylinders in the blue and white of Argentina, he is 22/1 to score a hat-trick.
Brazil vs Paraguay (June 27, 22:30)
By the time Brazil and Paraguay take to the field in Concepcion, they will know whether it is Argentina or Colombia that await the winner in the semi-final.
A tie between the heavyweights of Argentina and Brazil would, of course, whet the appetite of the masses, but Paraguay will be hoping to put a stop to any possibility of that.
Brazil, much like some of the other Copa America heavyweights, stuttered through their group stage campaign, but despite a defeat by Colombia were able to progress as winners of Group C.
Dunga’s men beat Peru and Venezuela to secure their place in the last eight, with Liverpool new-boy Roberto Firmino scoring the winner in their last match.
Paraguay, of course, are under no illusion of the task that awaits them, and midfielder Victor Caceres addressed the media ahead of the match.
“Brazil are the favourites but we must be confident and play a perfect match to reach the semis,” he told reporters.
“In this instance you do not choose opponents, but the group was already difficult, so you have to play perfectly against Brazil. We are strong in the air, and we must closely mark the Brazilian players and anticipate them to avoid problems.”
Paraguay themselves came through Group B just behind Argentina, and ahead of reigning champions Uruguay, not losing a game in the process.
A win over Jamaica was sandwiched between draws against their two other opponents, and Paraguay now face a Neymar-less Brazil after the Barcelona superstar was banned for the rest of the tournament.
Despite the sizeable hole left by their star man, Brazil team-mate Firmino – who this week joined Liverpool for £28million – is confident the Selecao have what it takes to progress.
He told the media: “Of course we are sad because of his [Neymar’s] suspension, but the Selecao are looking better and better and we can achieve victories in the Copa America.
“The knockout fixtures will be the key ones. It will not be easy. All the South Americans are working hard, but our squad is getting stronger and stronger.”
Brazil are 3/4 to win in 90 minutes with Sky Bet, while Paraguay are the furthest-priced quarter-final team to win, at 4/1. Firmino is sure to be on a high following his big-money move to Merseyside this week, and the former Hoffenheim man is 5/1 to score first on Saturday night.
Remember, you will be able to follow each of the games live with Sky Sports, via the website and mobile site at www.skysports.com, or the Sky Sports app.
