The 2016 Copa America is now in the semifinal stage, with the 2015 finalists – Chile and Argentina – looking set for a rematch. Their semifinal opponents – Colombia and the United States – might have something to say about that. But more importantly, let’s find out what some top soccer experts think in terms of how the two semifinal matchups will go down.
Meanwhile, check out our own quick thoughts and analyses on the two semifinals here.
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Marcus Kwesi O’Mard of New England Sports Network has billed the U.S. vs. Argentina semifinal as a “David vs. Goliath” battle, and he’s not wrong. As he gradually broke down the matchup, it’s clear that Argentina is the superior team. They have been playing the best football in the tournament, and have the best player in the world in Leo Messi.
Meanwhile, the U.S. will be missing not one, not two, but three key players due to suspension. Unsurprisingly, O’Mard went with a comfortable win for Goliath – and heavy -250 favorite – Argentina, with the total going over 2.5.
Jason Le Miere of the International Business Times concurs with O’Mard. He’s just in awe of all of Argentina’s weapons alongside Messi – Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela – and doesn’t see the absence of Angel Di Maria and Nico Gaitan as being much of a hindrance. He thinks there’s just too much quality there for the big +490 underdog Americans to overcome, and it’s hard to argue with him.
Finally, Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report completes the Argentina trifecta. Despite his 2-1 scoreline suggesting the U.S. won’t totally get blown out of the water, Zucker still believes Argentina is the much better team. And with the U.S. likely to replace Bobby Wood with either Graham Zusi (out of form), Darlington Nagbe (not a natural wide player) or Christian Pulisic (a 17-year-old), the USMNT’s attack just doesn’t seem like it can keep up with Messi and co.
Chile vs. Colombia
Expert
Prediction
Francisco Salazar (Latin Post)
Colombia, 2-1
Sounak Mukhopadhyay (Australia Network News)
Chile, 2-1
Joseph Zucker (Bleacher Report)
Chile, 1-0
Despite his admission that Colombia has struggled more than any other semifinal team to reach this stage, Francisco Salazar of the Latin Post is still going with the Cafeteros to top Chile. The Colombians – +180 to get the win – needed penalties to beat Peru in the quarterfinals, but Salazar believes their attacking talent – led by Real Madrid star James Rodriguez – and defensive solidity is enough to carry them to the final.
However, Sounak Mukhopadhyay of Australia Network News disagrees. He sees Chile as a team in top form and will be incredibly high in confidence after demolishing Mexico 7-0 in the quarterfinals. Contrast that with a Colombia team that failed to impress against much weaker competition, and Mukhopadhyay sees La Roja (+138) returning to the Copa America final.
And last but not least, Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report is also going with Chile in a close 1-0 win. Zucker is rightly concerned with Chile’s ability to cope without suspended star Arturo Vidal, which could force Chile to adopt a more defensive approach.
But he also notes that Chile’s Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez, who’ve scored nine goals in the last two games, will be very dangerous on the counterattack, especially if the attack-minded Colombians commit too many men forward.
