The matchups for the quarterfinals at the Copa America tournament have been set, and the first one will be played between Chile and Uruguay on Wednesday. The COPA America football game between Chile and Uruguay can be watched online via live stream below.
According to Tim Vickery of ESPN FC, Chile scored 10 goals in the group phase of the Copa America; no other team scored more than four goals. Even though they made it to the quarterfinals, 1974 World Cup veteran Leonardo Veliz thought Chile's impressive run so far during the soccer tournament might be hiding something under the surface.
"The Chile that qualified did not convince me," Veliz wrote in a column published in the Chilean newspaper La Tercera. "Its apparent brilliance came only against an already qualified Bolivia [the final group game, which Chile won 5-0]. Those five goals against Bolivia hide a reality."
Veliz added that despite the strengths, he found a "gaping collective weakness which could be exposed against opponents with more quality." Vickery thought he made a few valid points, referring to the group game against Mexico, which ended in a 3-3 tie.
"There are problems in the defense: Mexico's second string team took advantage of them to secure a 3-3 draw," Vickery wrote. "Chile, the shortest team in the competition, do not defend well against the high ball and there are times, such as with that third Mexican goal, when the entire back line can be taken out with one pass."
Vickery also pointed out that the tone of Copa America has changed during the quarterfinals, noting that it has become "a case of win or bust" for both Chile and Uruguay.
"There is no extra time, just 90 minutes to break the deadlock before a penalty shoot-out," Vickery wrote. "The clock is ticking all the way from the off and their opponents are a team who should put fear into the heart of any Copa America host. Chile must do battle against Uruguay on Wednesday."
According to Liam Apicella of Sports Mole, Chile is lucky to still have star midfielder Arturo Vidal on the field. Despite crashing his car while under the influence of alcohol, he escaped with only losing his driving license; being convicted of drunk driving in Chile can carry a prison sentence up to 10 years.
"In contrast on the pitch, the Juventus midfielder is the competition's leading goal scorer to date, with three goals to his name," Apicella wrote. "His contribution helped the Chileans to pick up seven points from a possible nine and score 10 goals from their three group matches, which is six more times than any other country managed to find the net during the same period."
Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli indicated to reporters that his team will stick to the strategy that has worked for them so far in the tournament.
"Chile will not change its style for the quarter-finals. Playing like this is the only way to beat the big teams we will meet from here on," Sampaoli said.
As for Uruguay, Vickery reported that the team eliminated the hosts at the quarterfinal stage in both the last two Copas and in three of the last five. Uruguay would have to pull off another feat against Chile without the help of Luis Suarez, who is still serving his suspension after what he did last year at the World Cup in Brazil.
"The deeper they have to dig, the more the Uruguayans seem to like it," Vickery wrote. "They have other attacking options: the mobile and sinuous Diego Rolan has enjoyed an interesting tournament, and there is Abel Hernandez, the speedy Jonathan Rodriguez as well as the talented playmaker, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, in reserve."
As for predictions, Vickery thought that it would happen somewhere "in the center of the field," and he believed would "contain the key to the destiny of this fascinating quarterfinal."
"The winner will be up against either Peru or Bolivia in the next round," Vickery wrote. "On paper, at least, it represents the most straightforward path to the grand final."
Apicella thought that Uruguay would have a tough slog against Chile, given that "it may take two or even three goals to beat them."
"Uruguay have shown little to date to suggest that they have enough goals in their armory, so Chile should be able to book their place in the final four," Apicella wrote.
The game between Chile and Uruguay will begin streaming free online at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT Wednesday on beIN Sports Connect and on Fubo TV.
