No team was more impressive in the quarterfinals of Copa America than Chile. All of a sudden, the seemingly forgotten defending champs of this tournament are 180 minutes from successfully winning Copa America two years in a row. The Chileans have a tall task against Colombia in the semifinals in what should be a fantastic match between two South American powers.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
It's hard to not like Chile after the way it played against Mexico. The 7-0 win was the biggest margin of victory in a competitive match against El Tri ever.
However, we have to remember that both of these teams are 3-0-1 in four matches in this tournament, and the 90 minutes which the Chileans just played against Mexico don't count any longer.
The oddsmakers are very likely to set this match not far from a pick 'em.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
Obviously, when it started to rain on Mexico, it poured. A 1-0 game became 2-0 just before halftime and was 5-0 seven minutes into the second half. Was Chile every bit deserving of that victory? You bet.
The only team which has beaten Chile in this tournament is Argentina, and considering the fact that Lionel Messi's side has been the overwhelming favorite every step of the way in Copa America, there's no sin in that. The Chileans have fairly comprehensively put away Panama, Bolivia and now Mexico.
Colombia needed penalties to take care of Peru in East Rutherford in the second of the semifinals. It was the second straight relatively shaky result for Los Cafeteros after beating up the United States and Paraguay to kick off this tournament, and many are going to shy away from them as a result.
LIVE BETTING
Before Chile played against Mexico, we said that the superstars for this team were finally starting to put it all together. They've done so with amazing gusto at this point.
Eduardo Vargas scored four times against El Tri and now probably has the Golden Boot wrapped up with his six goals. Alexis Sanchez has three strikes, while Arturo Vidal has put two in the back of the net.
When you think of Colombia, you think of a team which has all of the great attacking power with James Rodriguez, Carlos Bacca and Cristian Zapata amongst others. However, it's the back line which will be tested the most against Chile's attack.
QUICK PICK
Had it been Colombia beating up Peru and Chile advancing over Mexico in penalties, we'd be having a far different discussion about the tone of this match. Instead, the Chileans are the hot, new commodity, and we think they're going to be overplayed in this matchup.
It's a little scary for the Colombians that they ultimately have already been involved in a shootout, but we think they're going to get the job done here without needing the spot kicks.
Often times, teams which blow out big time foes end up falling flat in their very next match. Though this Chilean team has finally had its power realized, we just don't think it's quite as good as Colombia, a very similar team with arguably greater talent. The biggest piece to the puzzle is Rodriguez. If he plays up to his potential out of the attacking midfield, the Colombians are truly very tough to beat. He'll be the difference-maker this in one and be the catalyst to lifting Colombia to the Copa America Centenario final.
Copa America Odds: Colombia 2, Chile 1
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