Copa America quarter-finals: Four talking points

After just 11 days of action, this summer's Copa America has already reached the quarter-finals stage.

While there might not have been a big-nation casualty during the group phase, some of those in the last eight have so far struggled to take their best form out on to the pitch.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out the biggest talking points that have arisen from the four upcoming ties.

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After Brazil and Argentina, hosting Chile and defending champions Uruguay were the third and fourth favourites with the bookmakers to win this Copa America. When they clash in Santiago during the early hours of Thursday morning, it will be a case of attack vs. defence. The home side have been playing in daring fashion, scoring 10 times in their three group encounters.

As for Uruguay, they have struggled to score goals without suspended talisman Luis Suarez. The chances have not fallen for Edinson Cavani and so La Celeste found the net just twice on their way to qualifying as one of two best third-placed countries. With opportunties at a premium, much will be expected of the likes of Diego Godin in defence up against Alexis Sanchez and co.

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Peru may have finished third four years ago, but in a group alongside the Brazilians, Colombians and an improving Venezuela, it would not have been a surprise had they finished bottom of the pile. Yet, they proved the doubters wrong by separating Brazil and Colombia in second spot and are now on the verge of matching their 2011 exploits.

In Bolivia, they face a side that with the greatest of respect, were only expected to make up the numbers. They had not won a Copa game since 1997, but that was put right against Ecuador. The celebrations did not last long, though, as they were thrashed 5-0 by Chile next time out. It's hardly great form to be taking into the quarter-finals, but both sides will fancy their chances of claiming the victory.

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Chile may have scored 10 goals in the group stages, but with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria to call upon, Argentina were expected to get somewhere near that tally, if not better it. But, under Gerardo Martino's guidance, the Argentines found the net on just four occasions.

The former Barcelona boss has been criticised in his homeland for his negative tactics, while reports suggested that one of his half-time team talks were mocked by Messi and Di Maria. With an underperforming Colombia up next, the heat is on Martino to get his attack-minded players firing. Failure to do that is likely to result in exit from the competition, as well as the 52-year-old potentially being handed his P45.

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Everyone will remember what happened to Brazil when they were without Neymar's services at last summer's World Cup. On that occasion, the free-scoring forward was injured, but this time around his absence is self-inflicted. The 23-year-old has been banned for four matches as punishment for his attempted headbutt on Colombia's Jeison Murillo.

It was a nervy first outing since the ban against Venezuela, although Dunga's men got the job done. Reported Manchester United and Liverpool transfer target Roberto Firmino is likely to lead the attack against a Paraguay side that have already beaten Jamaica and frustrated both Argentina and Uruguay in drawn matches.