Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain (L) and team captain Lionel Messi (#10) (Photo : Reuters)
Tournament favorite and world no. 3 Argentina will try to extend its 2015 Copa America bid as it faces world no. 4 Colombia in the quarterfinals of this summer's tournament. The match will be held at the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar, Chile on Friday, June 26.
Argentina almost dominated Group B competitions if not for the draw against Paraguay in their opening match. Team captain Lionel Messi led a furious Argentine rally in the first half of that game, only to succumb to a pair of goals from La Albirroja in the second.
La Albiceleste won their next two games, both 1-0, against defending champion Uruguay and guest team Jamaica, as Messi continues his attempt to end a 22-year Argentinian wait for the Copa America title, as per Enca.
Colombia scrambled past the group qualifications with a dull 0-0 draw versus Peru, via Eurosport. They lost to an unheralded Venezuela team in their opener but bounced back with a fight marred win over Brazil in their second game.
Los Cafeteros had only scored a single goal in the tourney so far as James Rodriguez and the vaunted Colombian offense has yet to find their rhythm. Gerardo Martino's boys would be in for a fight if José Pékerman's wards find their touch in this quarterfinal knockout match.
The predicted result is Argentina over Colombia, 2-0. The Colombians are currently struggling as they face their toughest challenge in the tournament. Messi's motivation of winning one for his country would be difficult to stop.
Argentina starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Romero; Rojo, Otamendi, Garay, Zabaleta; Biglia, Pastore, Mascherano; Di María, Agüero, Messi
Colombia starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Ospina; Arias, Zapata, Murillo, Armero; Cuadrado, Valencia, Sánchez, Rodríguez; Gutiérrez, Falcao
