Argentina and Colombia go head-to-head in Viña del Mar on Thursday in a quarter-final clash of two Copa América heavyweights.

As expected, La Albiceleste finished top of Group B to seal their place in the knockout stages of this year’s tournament in Chile.However, Lionel Messi’s side found it far from plain sailing in a pool that also contained Paraguay, Uruguay and tournament invitees Jamaica.

The 2014 World Cup finalists scored just four goals in picking up seven points. The only match they didn’t win was their opener, as they threw away a 2-0 lead against Paraguay.

Gerardo Martino’s side now come up against the tightest defence in the tournament, with Colombia having only conceded once in their Group C campaign.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano admits the side’s lack of a clinical edge has been frustrating, though he called for the players to just continue plugging away.

“It’s not easy when you go, you go forward and you find two lines of five. When you are looking to create this is much more difficult to break down,” the Barcelona player said.

“When you try to create and every attempt fails, you can get down but it takes patience and conviction and playing even if it costs. We have the players to do well.”

Sergio Agüero, who was rested for the final group fixture against Jamaica, is expected to take over from fellow striker Gonzalo Higuaín as the fulcrum of the attack.

Colombia, meanwhile, will be without Edwin Valencia due to a knee injury, while Carlos Bacca and Carlos Sánchez are ruled out through suspension.

While they have been tight at the back, José Pékerman’s squad has found the net just once. Defender Jeison Murillo scored their only goal, though it proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory over Brazil.

Radamel Falcao has yet to open his account, while both Teófilo Gutiérrez and Bacca have been tried alongside the Monaco forward.
Victor Ibarbo, though, made it clear that it does not matter who scores, so long as Los Cafeteros filter their way through to the Copa final.

“The team is like a family and everyone is in agreement that it doesn’t matter who scores because this is a collective process,” he said.

“The nice thing about this group is that they are all available for what the coach requires. Argentina are an excellent team, one of the favourites to win the Copa.

“They make only a small amount of errors and we must seize on them if we are to get a result.”

The winner of the game at Estadio Sausalito will face either Brazil or Paraguay in the second semi-final, which takes place next Tuesday.

CA2015.com