First Copa a plausible dream for hosts Chile

The most successful team in the history of the Copa America take on the most impressive side from the first round when Uruguay face Chile in the first quarter-final today.

The Uruguayans are the defending champions and have won the competition 15 times, more than either Argentina or Brazil.

Hosts Chile have never won it, but finished unbeaten and top of Group A, having scored 10 goals in their opening three matches, twice as many as any other side in the competition.

“The statistics are clear. Chile played very well in the group stage . . . but that’s over now . . . Now we start the games of life and death,” said midfielder Marcelo Díaz.

The winners of today’s tie in Santiago will face either Peru or Bolivia, who meet in Temuco on Thursday, while, on the other side of the draw, Argentina and Brazil could be heading for a semi-final showdown.

The Argentinians take on Colombia in their quarter-final in Vina del Mar on Friday, while Brazil face Paraguay in Concepción on Saturday.

Enigmatic

Argentina were enigmatic in the group stage. They played superbly in the first half against Paraguay before surrendering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. Similarly, against Jamaica, they took an early lead but had to settle for a 1-0 win.

“We’re lacking a killer instinct,” coach Gerardo Martino said after the Jamaica match. “You can’t account for players with the ability that ours have missing so many chances.”

Brazil finished top of their group, but have yet to set the Copa alight. They beat Peru and Venezuela by a single goal and lost to Colombia.

They have also lost their star, Neymar, suspended for the rest of the tournament for his part in a fracas against Colombia. Robinho took Neymar's place in their last match and will almost certainly start against Paraguay.