Argentina will play Colombia in the second semi-final of Copa America 2021.
Venue: Estadio Nacional de Brasilia
Key Statistics
- Argentina have been one of the strongest sides in the tournament, winning 4 games and losing none.
- Argentine skipper Lionel Messi currently tops the goal and assists charts – 4 goals and 4 assists.
- Colombia edged out Uruguay in the penalty shoot in the quarter-finals.
Head to Head record:
Argentina have been the better side, winning 23 of their 40 matches – 9 defeats and 8 draws against Colombia.
Recent form (Copa America 2021)
Argentina: D – W – W – W – W
Colombia: W – L – L – D – W
Argentina
Argentina picked up a lacklustre draw against Chile in their opening encounter; however, they haven’t looked back since then, going to win four games in a row.
Lionel Messi is in sublime form after dominating both the assists and goals charts – 4 goals and four assists while he has also won four man-of-the-match awards.
Lionel Scaloni looks to have a perfect squad at his disposal with enough bench strength.
In their quarter-final fixture, they comprehensively defeated Ecuador 3-0, with Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martinez and Messi finding the nets.
La Albiceleste are currently high in confidence and will enter into the contest against Colombia as favourites.
Possible line-ups – Argentina
Emiliano Martinez, Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovanni Lo Celso, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria
Colombia
Colombia haven’t been at their best in this year’s Copa America as they ended up third in the group stage.
However, they stunned Uruguay in the quarter-finals via penalty shootout, with goalkeeper David Ospina turning out to be the hero for his crucial penalty saves.
They have a mountain to climb in the semi-finals as they are set to face the unstoppable Argentine side.
Despite the absence of James Rodriguez, Colombians are still considered as a tough side with the likes of Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel in the attack.
Possible line-up – Colombia
David Ospina, Daniel Munoz, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sanchez, William Tesillo, Juan Cuadrado, Wilmar Barrios, Gustavo Cuellar, Luis Diaz, Luis Muriel, Duvan Zapata
Probability
Argentina : Draw : Colombia :: 52% : 29% : 19% (in 90 minutes)
Prediction
Argentina 3 – 1 Colombia
