Brazil and Chile must secure the game in 90 minutes to avoid an awkward surprise this Sunday.
A smart, tactical football gave Peru and Uruguay the opportunity to outwit the alleged candidates and advance to the semi-finals. Despite showing some of their best football, Argentina and Colombia are out.
What's the logic behind these two unexpected results, and most importantly, what can Brazil and Chile learn from them? Argentina fell at Colon's "Elephant's Graveyard", a legendary stadium in which endless major teams have fell throughout history.
Brazil prepares for a tough clash against Paraguay. From a tactical point of view, I believe this game may resemble Argentina's, with the Scratch dominating the game while Paraguay try to take advantage of their aerial superiority.
Chile's coach Claudio Borghi misses playmaker Matias Fernandez, whose form was vital for La Roja to qualify as Group C leader. Do Chile have what it takes to defeat Venezuela, a goal neither Brazil nor Paraguay managed to achieve during the first stage?
Two brilliant saves from the 12 yards granted Uruguay and Peru their ticket to the semi-finals. The superb form of the Uruguayan goalkeeper Diego Muslera saved La Celeste from what could have been a disaster.
Paraguay is likely to rely on the counter-attack to secure qualification at Brazil's expense. Brazilian wingers Dani Alves and Andre Santos frequently join the attack, but they will have to keep Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez under a close watch.
Chile has an advantage over the rest of the candidates - as we've noticed before- and it's their versatility. Claudio Borghi's boys can easily adapt to every game, and from now on, it's survival of the fittest. With Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez leading the attack, La Vinotinto has a tough match ahead to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
What's the logic behind these two unexpected results, and most importantly, what can Brazil and Chile learn from them? Argentina fell at Colon's "Elephant's Graveyard", a legendary stadium in which endless major teams have fell throughout history.
Brazil prepares for a tough clash against Paraguay. From a tactical point of view, I believe this game may resemble Argentina's, with the Scratch dominating the game while Paraguay try to take advantage of their aerial superiority.
Chile's coach Claudio Borghi misses playmaker Matias Fernandez, whose form was vital for La Roja to qualify as Group C leader. Do Chile have what it takes to defeat Venezuela, a goal neither Brazil nor Paraguay managed to achieve during the first stage?
Two brilliant saves from the 12 yards granted Uruguay and Peru their ticket to the semi-finals. The superb form of the Uruguayan goalkeeper Diego Muslera saved La Celeste from what could have been a disaster.
Paraguay is likely to rely on the counter-attack to secure qualification at Brazil's expense. Brazilian wingers Dani Alves and Andre Santos frequently join the attack, but they will have to keep Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Haedo Valdez under a close watch.
Chile has an advantage over the rest of the candidates - as we've noticed before- and it's their versatility. Claudio Borghi's boys can easily adapt to every game, and from now on, it's survival of the fittest. With Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez leading the attack, La Vinotinto has a tough match ahead to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.
