Opening the 2015 Copa America quarterfinals will be a match between hosts Chile versus defending champions Uruguay at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday, June 24.
Chile is coming off an impressive 5-0 thrashing of surprise team Bolivia during their last game in the group stage. They had beaten Ecuador and drawn with Mexico in their first two games to clinch top spot in Group A.
La Roja is really looking good as they enter the knockout stage, but they will have their hands full against Óscar Tabárez's boys in a battle of tournament favorites.
ESPN noted that since 1987, it had been only two times that Brazil, Argentina, or the host nation had not become tournament champions. And guess who the champions were both times: Uruguay.
La Celeste is branded as the official party-crasher of the South American tournament, according to Goal. This year, even without main man Luis Suárez, the team is hoping to do the same as early as possible.
But Jorge Sampaoli's team is playing great as of late, which could spoil Uruguay's attempt for a back-to-back coronation.
Prediction: This is a tough call as you cannot count out the reigning champions. But Chile will carry on its momentum from the group qualifications and maximize its home court advantage to beat Uruguay, 1-0. But Edinson Cavani may finally score a goal to make it a draw.
Chile starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Bravo; Beausejour, Jara, Medel, Isla; Vidal, Diaz, Aránguiz; Valdivia; Vargas, Sánchez
Uruguay starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Muslera; M. Pereira, A. Pereira, Giménez, Godin; Rios, Sánchez, González; Hernández, Rolán, Cavani