Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal scores a brace against Bolivia. (Photo : Getty Images)
Last year's Copa America champions Chile (1-1-0, 3 points) will meet last year's Gold Cup semifinalists Panama (1-1-0, 3 points) in a crucial Group D game that will determine who will advance in the knockout stage of the 2016 Copa América Centenario. The match is set at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 14.
Chile, currently ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, bounced back from its opening round 1-2 loss to tournament favorites Argentina by winning its second round encounter against lowly Bolivia, 2-1, at the Gillette Stadium Foxborough last Friday, as per ESPN.
Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal netted a brace at the 46th minute and in injury time to lead head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi's attack during the virtually must-win match.
Midfielder Jhasmani Campos scored a consolation goal for La Verde at the 61st minute to temporarily equalize the match, but Vidal's second strike snatched the victory and three points for La Roja.
The team continued to be the aggressors as they did with the Argentinians, controlling 80 percent of total ball possessions in the game.
Meanwhile, Panama was hammered by Argentina, 0-5, at the Soldier Field in Chicago also last Friday as they succumbed to their first loss in the group stage, USA Today reported.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi suited up for La Albiceleste for the first time in the tourney and immediately made his presence felt as he unleashed a hat trick against head coach Hernán Darío Gómez's hapless squad. Defender Nicolas Otamendi and striker Sergio Agüero netted the other two goals to complete the final score.
Despite the loss, Los Canaleros still has a chance to move to the quarterfinals if they can win this game against Chile as the two teams are currently tied at three points, with one win and one loss apiece, in the Group D standings. Panama won its opening game against Bolivia, 2-1, to gain its three points.
However, Chile is favored to win this game handily over Panama as they had consistently been aggressive in their first two games. Vidal is again expected to be the key player.
The predicted result is a 2-0 win for Chile.
Chile starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Bravo; Isla, Medel, Jara, Beausejour; Vidal, Hernandez, Aranguiz; Sanchez, Pinilla, Orellana
Panama starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Penedo; Machado, Baloy, Miller, Henriquez; Gomez; Cooper, Pimentel, Buitrago, Quintero; Perez
