Uruguay and Colombia do battle on Saturday in Copa America quarter-final action, as both nations look to reach the semi-finals after missing out in the 2019 tournament.

Colombia were pipped to second spot by Peru in the final round of group fixtures, while Uruguay quickly grew into the tournament to win their last two matches in the group and finish second as a result.

Match preview

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Uruguay had a difficult start to this year's Copa America, losing 1-0 in a tough game against group favourites Argentina in their opening match, as Guido Rodriguez netted the only goal of the game inside 15 minutes.

They then played out a slightly underwhelming 1-1 draw with Chile, as Luis Suarez equalised on the hour mark to salvage a point for La Celeste after Eduardo Vargas had put their opponents ahead.

However, Oscar Tabarez's men would bounce back with two wins to round off the group stage and finish second, firstly defeating Bolivia 2-0 as Edinson Cavani got on the scoresheet after a Jairo Quinteros own goal.

La Celeste then finished with a 1-0 over Paraguay in the final game, with Cavani scoring a penalty to help his nation leapfrog their opponents.

While they are yet to hit the peak of their powers in this tournament, Tabarez's men have steadily improved throughout, and they will aim to continue that with a win in a tough quarter-final clash on Saturday.

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Similarly to their opponents, Colombia are yet to fulfil their potential in the Copa America this year, having dropped to third spot by the end of the group stage.

They always looked set to qualify for the final eight though, as they took a high position from the start thanks to a 1-0 win over Ecuador as Edwin Cardona netted the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time.

A disappointing goalless draw then followed, as Reinaldo Rueda's men were unable to break down Venezuela, who had a depleted squad due to a coronavirus outbreak in the camp.

La Tricolor then suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Peru, with Yerry Mina scoring an own goal to hand their opponents the three points after Miguel Borja had drawn them level from the penalty spot.

The final round of fixtures again saw Rueda's men again fall to a 2-1 loss, despite leading against pre-tournament favourites Brazil for the majority of the game thanks to Luis Diaz's stunning opener in the 10th minute.

That lead lasted until the 78th minute, when Roberto Firmino drew the Selecao level before Casemiro headed in a corner in the 10th minute of added time to snatch all three points and condemn Colombia to their second defeat of the competition.

La Tricolor will now look to bounce back from those defeats and return to form, as they head into the quarter-finals with the aim of lifting the Copa America trophy for the second time in the nation's history.

Team News

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Key Uruguay centre-back Diego Godin was abruptly brought off at half time last time out, but he has been training with the squad and should be fit to lead La Celeste from the back on Saturday, having made a record 145 appearances for Uruguay.

He should partner former Atletico Madrid teammate Jose Gimenez, who has featured 66 times for his nation.

Atletico Madrid star Luis Suarez was reduced to a substitute appearance in that game, but he should definitely return to the starting side alongside Manchester United frontman Edinson Cavani, who has scored in each of their last two games.

Juventus' Rodrigo Bentancur and Real Madrid prospect Federico Valverde should continue to line up in the middle, having both impressed last time out.

Colombia have continuously switched their attacking options so far in the tournament, given their failure to consistently score goals, with Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel and Rafael Borre all failing to find the net, while Miguel Borja's only goal has come from a penalty.

Nonetheless, Muriel and Zapata formed a dangerous paring for Atalanta in the Italian top flight last season, hitting a combined tally of 37 goals and 19 assists in Serie A action, and they could be deployed as a front two for the first time in the tournament.

The majority of the attacking threat has come from the wide areas, with Edwin Cardona and Porto star Luis Diaz each netting a goal, while Juventus' Juan Cuadrado has been a constant threat, standing out as one of his side's most impressive players in the majority of their games.

At the other end of the pitch, Rueda should stick with the established pairing of Everton centre-back Yerry Mina and Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez at the heart of the back four, shielding experienced goalkeeper David Ospina between the sticks.

Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Nandez, Gimenez, Godin, Vina; Valverde, Bentancur; De Arrascaeta, De La Cruz; Cavani, Suarez

Colombia possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Munoz, Mina, Sanchez, Tesillo; Cuadrado, Barrios, Uribe, Diaz; Zapata, Muriel

We say: Uruguay 2-1 Colombia

In what may be the closest game of the quarter-final fixtures, Saturday's match could definitely go either way, but we see Uruguay's slightly superior quality seeing them to a narrow win.

Tabarez's men have not hit their best form so far in the tournament, but if they manage to click with a full squad, they should have enough to get past Colombia.

Written by
Sam Varley

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