Copa America Final Four

Upsets Galore

It's not always in the sports world, that a major tournament sees upsets all across the board.

Before the tournament only the bravest of punters would have predicted that both Argentina and Brazil would be absent from the final four. And after the group stage, it would have taken a still braver bet to put money on Colombia (winners of Group A) and Chile (winners of Group C) joining the above pair on the sidelines. In fact Colombia and Chile did in fact dominate their matches against Peru and Venezuela respectively, however their less fancied opponents went through instead.

So, four quarterfinals and four upsets.

Peru 2 - 0 Colombia

Uruguay 1 - 1 Argentina (Uruguay win on penalties)

Paraguay 0 - 0 Brazil (Paraguay win on penalties)

Venezuela 2 - 1 Chile

To be fair to Uruguay, one of the outside bets for the tournament at the start, their presence in the last four is far from shocking. However, their tournament till their quarter-final against the hosts was far from impressive. Despite having a star studded attacking lineup and an excellent blend of experience and expertise, across both midfield and defence, Uruguay had struggled in the group stage, finishing second behind Chile with two draws and a win over an experimental Mexico side. Subsequently, they stepped up and stopped Argentina in their tracks. Halting the hosts and the Lionel Messi led attacking juggernaut was always going to be a hard ask, but Argentina were unable to make Uruguay pay for playing with 10 men for most of the game and they shuffled out of the tournament on penalties. Although this was the closest of the four ties on paper, it was an upset nonetheless - Argentina are always a force at home.

This was after Colombia threw everything bar the kitchen sink at Peru and still went out 2-0. Colombia were the form team in a lacklustre tournament, with a draw against Argentina the only time they had been stopped. Extremely comfortable in their wins over Bolivia and Costa Rica, they had held the upper hand versus Argentina in their group game as well.  With their Porto pairing of Freddy Guarin and Radamel Falcao reviving their excellent form from their domestic season and their defence coming together in some style, Colombia suddenly looked like possible Copa winners. Peru on the other hand had limped into the final eight.  As the second ranked of the three third placed teams, they were the lowest seeds in the draw. Utterly dominated throughout, Peru somehow escaped humiliation to emerge unscathed after regular time. And as often happens, they scored two counter-attacking goals, helped by a goalie error from Colombia's Luis Martinez. Football is a funny game sometimes and Peru are through to a last four match against Uruguay.

Brazil had stuttered before running up the score against Ecuador, going through as group winners but never quite looking in good nick. Their midfield was undermanned and uncreative, their attack misfiring and their team, on the whole, underwhelming. Having snatched a late 2-2 draw with Paraguay in their previous group stage encounter, Brazil were unable to break the same opponents down in their quarterfinal matchup.  Despite a couple of late red cards, the game finished 0-0 even after extra time. As the Selecao missed four consecutive penalties to go out of the tournament, one hardly shed a tear. However such a lack of proficiency at spot kicks is never seen at international level. Paraguay knew they had pulled a rabbit out of the hat but holding Brazil not once, but twice and eliminating them from the tournament altogether. Remember, for all their attacking verve and skill, Paraguay had drawn all three of their group stage games. They have not managed to win a match in regulation or extra time. Yet, here they are in the semi-finals.

With both the heavy favourites out and the Copa organizers' dream final of Argentina versus Brazil in tatters, one looked to Chile to reach the final and keep up the tradition of stylish passing and fluent possession.  In their path stood a Venezuela team that had improved much to keep both Brazil and Paraguay at bay in the group stage but contained few weapons or matchwinners.  In Juan Arango they had their one world class talent, but surely the Chilean team, stacked with top class talent led by Alexis Sanchez and Mauricio Isla would sweep past them. A curious thing happened, Chile dominated, absolutely destroying Venezuela, especially in the second half. Yet, the Venezuelans took the lead twice through set piece goals, well worked but hardly emphatic. The Chilean goalkeeper dropped a clanger, Chile hit the post three times and before you knew it the last remaining class act was departing Copa America. slipping back across the Andes mountains to Santiago. Venezuela had been dogged, steady and rode their luck. A semi-final against Paraguay awaits.

So,

Uruguay are now the favourites outright with Peru standing in their way to a final. On the other side Paraguay are facing Venezuela for a spot in the title match. While a Uru-Para final seems likely, we can hardly rule out more upsets.

The semi finals kick off tomorrow with Peru playing Uruguay and then Venezuela taking on Paraguay on Wednesday.

The 2011 Copa America final is on Sunday 24th July.