Preview
The Copa America quarter-final stage is set to commence on Friday, with two games scheduled to take place on the same day. Paraguay get things underway with their clash with Peru before Brazil take to the field in the standout fixture, locking horns with Chile three hours later. This Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos showdown kicks off at 8 p.m. ET as the Selecao look to confirm their spot in the semi-finals.
Once CONMEBOL announced the decision to move the 2021 tournament to Brazil, many began predicting that the reigning champions would successfully defend their title. Tite's side won the 2019 edition and entered this event on the back of great form, which they continued in the group stage.
The five-time World Cup winners marched to three consecutive victories in the opening three games, steamrolling to 3-0 and 4-0 wins over Venezuela and Peru respectively before being made to work hard for a 2-1 triumph over Colombia. Neymar registered two goals across the first two fixtures, while Marquinhos, Gabriel Barbosa, Richarlison, Everton, and Alex Sandro managed a goal each.
As mentioned above, the showdown with Los Cafeteros was a tricky affair. Brazil appeared destined to lose had it not been for two late goals, with Roberto Firmino's 78th-minute strike cancelling out Luis Diaz's stunning opening goal. Casemiro won his nation all three points, netting in the 10th minute of the second half's stoppage time, breaking the hearts of Cuadrado and Co.
That game was not the commanding display from the hosts fans would have hoped for, with things only getting worse in their final group stage game. Brazil took on Ecuador in round four and managed only a 1-1 draw, with Angel Mena cancelling out Eder Militao's deadlock breaker. Regardless, the Selecao finished top of their group, three points ahead of second-placed Peru, having scored the most goals while garnering the joint-best defense.
Unfortunately, Chile did not enjoy the group stage as Tite's side did. La Roja finished in fourth, which was the final quarter-final ticket in the 2021 Copa America, having won only once in their four group-stage fixtures. Their opening tie was a 1-1 draw with Argentina, with Eduardo Vargas cancelling out Lionel Messi spectacular free-kick goal to share the points. A slim 1-0 triumph over Bolivia followed, but it was back to sharing the points as they drew 1-1 with Uruguay, with Vargas once again getting on the scoresheet.
Their most recent fixture ended in a disappointing 2-0 loss to Paraguay, which was the worst possible result ahead of the quarter-finals. However, now that we are through to the knockout stages, an impressive 90-minute spell is all that's needed from Martin Lasarte's to eliminate the defending champions en route to the semis.
Team news
Brazil: Tite rested several players in the 1-1 draw with Ecuador, with the likes of Neymar, Richarlison, and Alex Sandro expected to return to the lineup. The head coach will likely return to the Marquinhos-Militao center-back partnership, having given Thiago Silva game time.
Chile: Alexis Sanchez, who picked up an injury right before the tournament's kick-off, is unlikely to return for this picture. In the absence of their all-time top scorer, Eduardo Vargas will be expected to carry the goalscoring burden. Guillermo Maripan could also sit out this tie.
Key stats
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Chile have managed only victory over Brazil since the turn of the century.
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The Selecao have emerged victorious in 12 of their last 15 encounters with La Roja.
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Neymar and Co. are yet to lose a competitive game since their 2-1 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final defeat vs Belgium.
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Neymar and Co. scored an impressive 10 goals in the group stage while only conceding twice.
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
