Copa America 2016: Semi-Finals Format, Fixtures, Odds and Predictions
Argentina and Chile marched into the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario with emphatic wins on Saturday, setting up what should be a gripping final four.
The Albiceleste, the big favourites for glory, will come up against the United States after they swept aside Venezuela 4-1. But the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi were outdone later in the day by reigning champions Chile, who annihilated an in-form Mexico side 7-0, meaning they'll face a semi-final showdown with Colombia.
The standard on show in the last two quarter-final matches has only cranked up the excitement levels as the climax of the competition edges nearer. Here are details of the matches to come, how the bookmakers are seeing things and a look at how they could pan out.
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| Tuesday, June 21 | 9 p.m. | Argentina vs. United States | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Wednesday, June 22 | 8 p.m. | Chile vs. Colombia | Soldier Field, Chicago |
| Argentina | 8-13 |
| Chile | 10-3 |
| Colombia | 5-1 |
| United States | 10-1 |
Odds accurate as of 7:30 a.m. (BST) on Sunday, June 19. For more details check out Oddschecker.
United States vs. Argentina
It’s the kind of semi-final match every supporter who’s been following this tournament has craved. The hosts, backed by what’ll be a raucous crowd in Houston on Tuesday, against the competition favourites, who possess some of the finest attacking talent anywhere in world football.
After losing their opening game to Colombia, the United States didn’t look like a team that’d be capable of making it this far. But manager Jurgen Klinsmann has galvanised his troops into a fightback, and the determination they showed to overcome an in-form Ecuador outfit in the quarter-finals was impressive.
In Clint Dempsey, they have a man who, despite approaching the twilight of his career, is still capable of coming up big at crucial moments. Here is his brilliant header from the Ecuador clash:
Argentina have a fair few star men of their own, though, and throughout this tournament, the Albiceleste have slowly been clicking into gear. They’ve scored 14 goals in their four games at the Centenario, and against a game Venezuela team in the quarter-finals, they were irresistible.
It was the first game Messi had started at the tournament, and he turned in a majestic display. As noted by Bleacher Report UK, with his goal against Venezuela, the Barcelona man equalled Gabriel Batistuta’s goalscoring landmark:
With Higuain finding his shooting boots with a brace and Ever Banega also in fine form, it’s tough to see the USMNT withstanding the pressure the Argentina attack will put them under. Klinsmann will have the team organised and fired up for this one, but eventually the blue-and-white shirts will play their way through.
Prediction: United States 0-2 Argentina
Chile vs. Colombia
These two grand names of the South American game couldn’t have turned in more contrasting performances in their respective quarter-final matches.
Colombia were far from convincing against Peru and needed a penalty shootout to progress after 120 minutes of goalless football. To get the better of the defending champions, we’ll need to see much more from Los Cafeteros. Chile, by contrast, were sensational against Mexico on Saturday.
Although El Tri will rightly be criticised for their defensive efforts in the game, as Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl noted, the Copa holders didn’t give them a chance to play:
This was a performance in which everything aligned for Chile. Their relentless pressing posed huge problems for their nervy opponents, and when they did win the ball high up the pitch, they incisively passed through the lines.
Their taking of chances was ruthless too, especially from Eduardo Vargas. At club level, the forward has always been a frustrating player to watch, never quite finding the consistency needed to make it at an elite side. But with his national team, he seems to have the magic touch, as these numbers from OptaJavier prove:
Colombia will have been a little concerned watching the champions run over a Mexico team that had been unbeaten in 22 games prior to Saturday’s mauling. But there are lessons they can take from El Tri’s ropey display, the most pertinent being they can’t dwell in possession at any point; if they do, Chile will pinch it.
It’s difficult to see any result other than a win for the holders. They were magnificent in their quarter-final and will have a huge amount of confidence following that display. Expect Colombia to put up more of a fight than Mexico but for their efforts to ultimately be in vain.
Prediction: Chile 3-1 Colombia
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