Copa America – Knockout Stage Predictions

– The group stage of the Copa America is finished and we have the knockout fixtures decided. All the expected teams have made it. Barring Chile, every nation has won the Copa America before. So here’s a look at how the knockout stages might play out.

Quarter Finals 1 pits the high flying hosts Chile, against a Luis Suarez less Uruguay who are now seemingly toothless in attack. Chile on the other hand are the tournament’s leading scorers with 10 goals. With all parts of the Chilean team functioning well, the Uruguay defence led by Godin are going to be in for a tough match and will be key to holding Chile, in a hope to either get a lucky goal on the counter or penalties.

Chile to win 2-0.

Quarter Finals 2 sees Bolivia face Peru. They are the least likely of the remaining teams to win the tournament. Bolivia suffered a hammering by Chile in their final group match. Peru lost a tightly contested match against Brazil before getting a win and draw against Venezuela and Columbia. Led by Pizzaro who scored the vital winner, Peru might just be able to edge this match.

Peru to win 1-0.

Quarter Finals 3: Argentina who are tournament favourites along with Chile, face Columbia. Argentina have the best frontline of the tournament and vastly experienced players. Columbia are not able to click and have just scored 1 goal. Columbia would need their defenders to be on their game, and hope that their misfiring attack finally clicks. If the Argentine frontline can really kick it up into gear, they could run riot.

Argentina to win 2-0

Quarter Finals 4 pits Brazil against 2011 Copa America runners up, Paraguay. Brazil have lost their star man Neymar for the rest of the tournament and just scrapped through against Venezuela. Paraguay have not been convincing either, but they did peg back Argentina from 2-0 down in their first group match. Purely on talent of the squad, Brazil should be able to win it, but it’s really a hard call between the two.

Brazil to win 1-0 or go through on Penalties after 0-0.

If these results actually happen, the semi-finals will pit Chile against Peru. Chile should be able to easily overcome Peru and make the finals in front of their own fans. The other semi-final could be reliving a classic football rivalry, Argentina against Brazil. Brazil, without Neymar would really struggle and Argentina should be able to make their way into the final.
Argentina vs Chile will be a very interesting final, as both squads are balanced and are working well together. Chile are buoyed by their home support and Argentina cruising on the need to win their first major international trophy since 1993.

That final, pits 2 evenly balanced teams. Argentina may be able to win 1-0.