James Rodriguez (Photo : Reuters)
Colombia will attempt to enter the quarterfinals of the 2015 Copa America against a gritty Peru squad in one of the last matches of the group eliminations in Group C. The match will be held at the Estadio Municipal Germán Becker in Temuco, Chile on Sunday, June 21.
With Colombia and Peru's 1-0 wins over Brazil and Venezuela respectively, the teams are now all tied with 3 points apiece in the wild Group C competitions. Canarinho and La Blanquirroja are temporarily tied at the top spot because both scored two goals in their previous matches.
Colombia's brawl-infested victory over Brazil on Wednesday put them back in the mix for the quarters as they are slightly favored versus Ricardo Gareca's squad. The team will miss forward Carlos Bacca for the game, as per The Guardian, as he was involved in an after whistle shoving and head-butting altercation with Brazil's Neymar, which sent the Seleção captain out for three games.
Meanwhile, veteran Carlos Pizarro's appearance for the Peruvians was worth it as he scored the team's lone goal of the game to dispatch a wild challenge by La Vinotinto, via Bleacher Report. The 36-year-old skipped the match against Brazil and started for this one to give the team 3 points in the overall standing and a chance to advance to the quarters.
Prediction: An evenly-matched game, but Los Cafeteros will win a close 1-0 over La Blanquirroja. Bacca's absence will not be felt as Colombia pressures the ball and advances to the knockout stage.
Colombia starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Ospina; Zúñiga, Zapata, Murillo, Armero; Cuadrado, Sánchez, Valencia, Rodríguez; Gutiérrez, Falcao
Peru starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Gallese; Advíncula, Ascues, Zambrano, Vargas; Sánchez, Ballón, Lobatón, Cueva; Farfán, Guerrero
