Costa Rica's victory over Bolivia leaves Argentina at the third position with two points. A draw against Costa Rica is no longer enough for La Albiceleste to secure qualification.
Unlike Argentina, Costa Rica managed to learn from their mistakes in the opening game and showed excellent football this Thursday as Ricardo La Volpe's boys defeated Bolivia. With an excellent collective display, Costa Rica had in Joel Campbell the offensive prowess and versatility Argentina lacked in the first two games.
Colombia secured an important point against Argentina last Wednesday and has almost secured its ticket for the knockouts with 4 points. It seems like Colombia depends on Freddy Guarin's and Abel Aguilar's form to get the ball to their rivals' area, and their level has been far below Colombia's coach expectations for the Copa America.
Group C action kicks off this Friday as Chile receives Uruguay. Claudio Borghi wants to confirm his Rojos are to be taken as a serious candidate for the title after their marvelous victory in the opening game. Watch out for Alexis Sanchez and Matias Fernandez, for their partnership is likely to wreak havoc in Celeste's area.
The Uruguayans failed on maintaining the level they've shown in South Africa.Oscar Tabarez must consider alternatives for Nicolas Lodeiro and Mauricio Victorino, as he needs to find a player able to build a bridge towards Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
I believe the excellent form of the Chilean squad is likely to grant Borghi yet another major victory against Uruguay this Friday. Mexico has an easy game against Peru, but will they be able to break through the Peruvian defense? Mexico's speed could be a stronger weapon against Bicolor's packed defense.
Argentina disappointed the local crowds once again last Wednesday after a bitter draw against Colombia. Messi was once again unable to receive the ball in the last meters of the field and was forced to withdraw to the midfield. Argentina needs a driver and they need it badly, why has Sergio Batista not yet given an opportunity to Javier Pastore or Angel Di Maria to organize the attack?
Diego Maradona had in Juan Sebastian Veron the engine he needed in the midfield, but Batista has not been able to do the same even though he plays with three defensive midfielders (Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Esteban Cambiasso). The latter is used to join the attack frequently as he does in Italy, but he must learn to keep his position with Argentina. Banega, on the other hand, seems unable to find his place on the pitch, and that's the reason why Batista replaced him in both Copa America games.
Of course Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero provide a major boost to the attack, but stability and coherence appear to be the strongest weapons in this competition. Colombia and Costa Rica celebrated their respective victories thanks to their presence on the wings, while at the same time nullifying their rivals' counter-attacks with a packed midfield.
Chile appears to play the kind of football Argentina's coach is looking for. Unlike Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez has been able to live up to the expectations of the crowds, Mauricio Isla leads the attack endlessly from the wings and Arturo Vidal provides the security needed in the center of the field.
I wouldn't expect many modifications in Chile's scheme for this clash against Uruguay, though Borghi might choose to have Esteban Paredes be part of the starting eleven, after a successful performance in the last minutes of last week's game.
Mexico had the right attitude for most of the opening game, but they relaxed as they found the opener thanks to Nestor Araujo. The Aztec squad faces Peru, a rival that made it extremely hard for Uruguay to reach their area in the first game. As long as Giovanni Dos Santos controls the flow of the ball, Mexico should bag the three points easily.
Who do you think will be the first American squad to hit the quarter-finals?
Colombia secured an important point against Argentina last Wednesday and has almost secured its ticket for the knockouts with 4 points. It seems like Colombia depends on Freddy Guarin's and Abel Aguilar's form to get the ball to their rivals' area, and their level has been far below Colombia's coach expectations for the Copa America.
Group C action kicks off this Friday as Chile receives Uruguay. Claudio Borghi wants to confirm his Rojos are to be taken as a serious candidate for the title after their marvelous victory in the opening game. Watch out for Alexis Sanchez and Matias Fernandez, for their partnership is likely to wreak havoc in Celeste's area.
The Uruguayans failed on maintaining the level they've shown in South Africa.Oscar Tabarez must consider alternatives for Nicolas Lodeiro and Mauricio Victorino, as he needs to find a player able to build a bridge towards Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
I believe the excellent form of the Chilean squad is likely to grant Borghi yet another major victory against Uruguay this Friday. Mexico has an easy game against Peru, but will they be able to break through the Peruvian defense? Mexico's speed could be a stronger weapon against Bicolor's packed defense.
Argentina disappointed the local crowds once again last Wednesday after a bitter draw against Colombia. Messi was once again unable to receive the ball in the last meters of the field and was forced to withdraw to the midfield. Argentina needs a driver and they need it badly, why has Sergio Batista not yet given an opportunity to Javier Pastore or Angel Di Maria to organize the attack?
Diego Maradona had in Juan Sebastian Veron the engine he needed in the midfield, but Batista has not been able to do the same even though he plays with three defensive midfielders (Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega, Esteban Cambiasso). The latter is used to join the attack frequently as he does in Italy, but he must learn to keep his position with Argentina. Banega, on the other hand, seems unable to find his place on the pitch, and that's the reason why Batista replaced him in both Copa America games.
Of course Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero provide a major boost to the attack, but stability and coherence appear to be the strongest weapons in this competition. Colombia and Costa Rica celebrated their respective victories thanks to their presence on the wings, while at the same time nullifying their rivals' counter-attacks with a packed midfield.
Chile appears to play the kind of football Argentina's coach is looking for. Unlike Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez has been able to live up to the expectations of the crowds, Mauricio Isla leads the attack endlessly from the wings and Arturo Vidal provides the security needed in the center of the field.
I wouldn't expect many modifications in Chile's scheme for this clash against Uruguay, though Borghi might choose to have Esteban Paredes be part of the starting eleven, after a successful performance in the last minutes of last week's game.
Mexico had the right attitude for most of the opening game, but they relaxed as they found the opener thanks to Nestor Araujo. The Aztec squad faces Peru, a rival that made it extremely hard for Uruguay to reach their area in the first game. As long as Giovanni Dos Santos controls the flow of the ball, Mexico should bag the three points easily.
Who do you think will be the first American squad to hit the quarter-finals?
