The third matchup in the quarterfinals of the Copa America 2015 will happen on Friday between Argentina and Colombia. The game will also feature star soccer players Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez.
According to Ricardon Zuniga of the Associated Press, both Messi and Rodriguez have left their football clubs behind, Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Messi will play for Argentina, and Rodriguez will don a Colombia jersey.
"Of the four quarterfinals this week in the Copa America, Argentina vs. Colombia on Friday is the most compelling," Zuniga wrote. "Argentina has won this title 14 times and, with Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, has the most talented attack in the game."
Zuniga added that while Colombia has only won the Copa America title once, the team is also becoming a soccer powerhouse. That's because they have coach Jose Pekerman and star players such as Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez.
"The South American championship is a mini-World Cup," Zuniga wrote. "Five of the quarterfinalists reached the last 16 in Brazil's World Cup."
According to Alex Meyers of Sports Mole, Rodriguez indicated to reporters that Colombia had to improve its game strategy if the team wants to make it all the way to the championship. He hoped that his team would step up when they face Argentina on Friday.
"Everyone knows that they have good players, but Colombia intends to play," Rodriguez said. "I never want to play bad but sometimes it's not how you want. Friday is a great match to try and make things better."
Rodriguez added that Colombia "always want to win."
"There are still four more days to talk, but there are always things that can be improved," Rodriguez said.
Zuniga pointed out that when it came to group play, both Argentina and Colombia had trouble organizing such a strategy on the field.
"Argentina blew a two-goal lead, drawing 2-2 with Paraguay," Zuniga wrote. "It has 1-0 victories against Jamaica and Uruguay, and was fortunate after Uruguay dominated the late play."
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino elaborated on the condition of the players on both sides after playing long European seasons. According to the Associated Press, Messi and Tevez both played on opposite sides in the Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus just five days before the Copa America began.
"The failure to score and secure the outcome, it obviously beginning to generate some uneasiness," Martino said.
Rodriguez seemed to back up that sentiment. The Associated Press reported that Colombia barely advanced to the next round after beating Brazil 1-0.
"When you pay poorly, you pay," Rodriguez quipped.
The game between Argentina and Colombia will begin streaming online at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT Friday on beIN Sports Connect and on Fubo TV.
