Copa America 2015: Quarter-Final Live Stream Schedule, Review of Group Results
After a set of group-stage matches that were bristling with craziness but a little short on quality, the quarter-finals of the Copa America should see this unique competition kick into gear.
There are four intriguing ties to savour, too, with some peculiar results so far setting up a lopsided-looking draw. It means that hosts Chile have a wonderful chance of making it through to the final without having to play any of Brazil, Colombia or Argentina en route.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Vickery took a closer look at some of the favourites for glory here:
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The result is some star-studded encounters earlier on in the competition. Here’s a look at the quarter-final lineup in full, a comprehensive examination of two of the standout quarter-final clashes and how these teams fared in the group stages:
| Chile | 2-0 | Ecuador |
| Mexico | 0-0 | Bolivia |
| Ecuador | 2-3 | Bolivia |
| Chile | 3-3 | Mexico |
| Chile | 5-0 | Bolivia |
| Mexico | 1-2 | Ecuador |
| Uruguay | 1-0 | Jamaica |
| Argentina | 2-2 | Paraguay |
| Paraguay | 1-0 | Jamaica |
| Argentina | 1-0 | Uruguay |
| Uruguay | 1-1 | Paraguay |
| Argentina | 1-0 | Jamaica |
| Colombia | 0-1 | Venezuela |
| Brazil | 2-1 | Peru |
| Colombia | 1-0 | Brazil |
| Peru | 1-0 | Venezuela |
| Brazil | 2-1 | Venezuela |
| Colombia | 0-0 | Peru |
| Wed., June 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Chile | Uruguay | Santiago |
| Thur., June 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Bolivia | Peru | Temuco |
| Fri., June 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Argentina | Colombia | Vina del Mar |
| Sat., June 27 | 5:30 p.m. | Brazil | Paraguay | Concepcion |
Chile vs. Uruguay
Getting the knockout stage underway will be hosts Chile, as they go up against a Uruguay side that have developed an intriguing patent for eliminating the host nation in previous Copa Americas.
It’s something that Ben Hayward of Goal.com touched upon here:
But Oscar Tabarez’s team face an almighty ask against this La Roja side. Uruguay were far from at full tilt in the group stage, stuttering to third position behind Argentina and Paraguay in Group B having scored just two goals in their opening three matches.
The absence of Luis Suarez has obviously hurt this team—as it would any other side on the planet—and up to this point, Edinson Cavani has struggled with solely shouldering the attacking onus. As noted here by Sheridan Bird of UEFA, it’s been a while since the Paris Saint-Germain man showcased his best form in a Celeste shirt:
It’s tough to see where Uruguay are going to accrue any rhythm against a relentless Chile team, too. The hosts have been by far the most impressive side in the competition so far, scoring goals, pressing high and playing with the type of verve that has become synonymous with La Roja under the astute tutelage of Jorge Sampaoli.
Miguel Delaney of ESPN.com had high praise for the Chile boss recently:
While Uruguay are a diligent and defensively sound side—the Atletico Madrid pair of Jose Maria Gimenez and Diego Godin are both superb centre-backs—it’s tough to see them coping with the intensity and variation of Chile’s attacks.
With Charles Aranguiz keeping things ticking over, Arturo Vidal bursting forward and Alexis Sanchez buzzing about at the point of the attack, La Roja will eventually breach their opponents and march on toward the semi-finals.
Prediction: Chile 2-0 Uruguay
Argentina vs. Colombia
Ahead of this competition, Argentina and Colombia were probably the two teams neutrals were most excited about watching: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado and Radamel Falcao. There is some incredible attacking prowess in these squads.
But both Tata Martino and Jose Pekerman have failed in their attempts to conjure a system that’ll bring the best out of their respective sides, meaning they each have big decisions to make ahead of this quarter-final.
For Colombia’s Pekerman, the big decision is whether or not to start Falcao. As noted here by Bleacher Report’s Rik Sharma, the striker has endured a torrid tournament to date:
The former Manchester United striker doesn’t provide a dynamic target at the top of the pitch for Los Cafeteros, meaning Rodriguez and Cuadrado always seem to have limited options with the ball at their feet. But as the team’s skipper, it’d be a bold move from Pekerman to bench El Tigre for such a significant encounter.
There’s no danger of Argentina captain Messi being dropped for his side, but the Barcelona star hasn’t been at his devastating best as of yet for the Albiceleste. Martino’s team are lacking in balance in crucial facets of the first XI, making it difficult for the Blaugrana star, Aguero and Di Maria to get much of the ball in dangerous areas.
As noted by sports journalist Rafael Hernandez, Messi has struggled for a defined role with the national side for a while now:
"Messi’s role with Argentina only fully worked under Sabella. Other managers never came even close, Martino nullified the man at Barça!
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) June 20, 2015"
Had this fixture been announced prior to the tournament, it would have gotten supporters salivating. But instead of a shootout between two of world football’s best attacking lineups, what we’re likely to get is a nervy affair between two sides searching for a formula.
Sadly, this looks likely to be a low-scoring encounter and one that Argentina will just about edge.
Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Colombia
Matches can be streamed via beIN Sports Connect (US).
