The quarter-finals of the 2015 Copa América have been decided. Although there have a few surprises and controversies in the group stage, the eight teams remaining are more or less to be expected, barring Bolivia’s progression at the expense of both Mexico and Ecuador from Group A. The position in which each team qualified for the knockout stages may yet have a significant bearing on the eventual winners, with the two strongest third-placed finishers – holders Uruguay and Colombia – facing an unenviable route to glory.



Chile v Uruguay

Alexis Sánchez has earned the second highest rating at the Copa América, behind Lionel Messi. Photograph: Felipe Trueba/EPA

It’s fair to say that neither of these two sides will have been best pleased by their quarter-final draw, with Chile, arguably the strongest side in the group stages, drawn against Uruguay, the holders. Jorge Sampaoli’s team qualified as our highest rated team (7.39) having scored more than twice as many goals as any other side in the group stages (10). That said, Chile will face a far better defensive than they did in Group A.

Oscar Tabárez’s side have underwhelmed so far, scoring just twice in the absence of Luis Suárez. Edinson Cavani has failed to continue his stunning late season form with PSG into the summer. Their defensive pairing of Diego Godín and José Gimenez have been key to their progress – the Atlético Madrid duo have picked up Uruguay’s two highest average ratings to date, with 7.70 for Godín and 7.62 for Gimenez. Ranking third for shots (13) and fourth for dribbles (11) in the group stages, Alexis Sánchez has the second highest individual rating at the tournament to date (7.96), so Uruguay’s back line will need to be on top of their game.

Bolivia v Peru

The Peru team. Photograph: Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images

Bolivia have qualified as the real underdogs from the group stages but have been handed a favourable draw against Peru, who will also be delighted with the outcome of finishing second in Group C. No side had fewer shots (18), less possession (34.7%) or a lower pass accuracy (66.5%) than Bolivia in the group stages. Therefore it should come as little surprise that most of Mauricio Soria’s best performers are defenders, despite their collapse at the hands of hosts Chile in their final group game.

Bolivia’s top performer thus far has been right-back Miguel Hurtado (7.29), who sat out of the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Sampaoli’s side. Over the opening two group matches the 29-year-old made a massive 17 tackles and he will need to be on form to deny Peru’s leading threat from the group stages, Christian Cueva. The attacking midfielder scored the opener in a narrow defeat against Brazil and has continued to be a lively presence in the side, averaging 1.3 shots and three dribbles per game for a rating of 7.44.

Argentina v Colombia

Can Radamel Falcao pick up his form for Colombia? Photograph: Miguel Tovar/STF/Getty Images

Considered the glamour tie of the quarter-finals, José Pékerman’s Colombia team must navigate their way past tournament favourites Argentina if they wish to reach the final four. They will need to improve their finishing, with calls to drop newly appointed captain Falcao continuing to mount. Only two sides had more shots in the group stages than Colombia (46), but they hit the target just six times and scored only once, through centre-back Jeison Murillo. Their leading striker, meanwhile, mustered seven shots in the group stages and hit the target just once, picking up the lowest rating of any player in the team to play at least 90 minutes (6.09).

The captain on the opposing side also carries much of the burden for his adoring public but while Lionel Messi hasn’t hit his best form, the Barcelona forward was still able to secure the highest rating of any player in the group stages (7.99). The 27-year-old had the most shots en route to the quarter-finals (17), despite scoring just once, and also completed the most dribbles (20) and most successful passes in the final third (89). If he is on song on Saturday it could be long night for Colombia left-back Pablo Armero.

Brazil v Paraguay

Neymar’s absence has given Willian a chance to shine for Brazil. Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images

Despite eventually finishing top of Group C, as expected, Brazil have disappointed in the tournament so far, with many blaming their pragmatic coach Dunga. The Seleção ended a match they had dominated for long periods against Venezuela with four centre-backs. They secured the all-important victory but their backs-to-the-wall approach tells you all you need to know about the lack of confidence in this side. Many are expecting them to struggle the absence of suspended captain Neymar.

That said, Brazil had more shots in their final group game without the Barcelona man (17) than in either of the two matches he played. Instead Chelsea’s Willian played a starring role as Neymar sat out against Venezuela, creating five chances for a rating of 7.94.

Paraguay will be no pushovers. They are one of only three unbeaten sides remaining in the competition, with three of their forwards already having registered on the scoresheet during the group stages. Beaten finalists in the previous edition of the tournament, Ramón Díaz’s side are aiming to dump Brazil out at the same stage that they did with a penalty shootout victory back in 2011.

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