The second quarter-final of the Copa America 2011 will see two really tough teams fight it out for a place in the semi-finals. Argentina, who needed to win their last game to go through to the next round will play Uruguay at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao LĂłpez, Santa Fe in Argentina.
Argentina hasnât had a great tournament, thanks mainly due to the way in which their star striker, Lionel Messi has played in the tournament. He looked listless in the first two draws against Bolivia and Colombia, before coming into his own in the third game against Costa Rica.
While Argentina drew their first couple of games, the two assists from Messi in the third match helped the hosts make it through to the quarter-final with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. AgĂŒero and di Maria were the two goal-scorers with the former drilling in a brace.
Interestingly, and rather coincidentally, Uruguayâs passage to the quarter-final has been not too different. They also drew their first two games and were in the danger of crashing out before they won their last game. In their first group match in the Copa America 2011, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Peru before drawing by the same margin against Chile. It was Ălvaro Pereiraâs second goal in the tournament and the lone goal in the last game against Mexico, that sealed the victory and the quarter-final berth for Uruguay.
Uruguay will hope that they can emulate their performance in the World Cup last year, where they reached the semi-final of the tournament. Interestingly, there isnât much to choose from between the two sides, if one were to consider history â they have won 13 games apiece.
Messi will be the man to watch out for, and despite Uruguay striker Sebastian Abreuâs liking for Messiâs style of play, he will know that his defence will need to be awake to the task of stalling the star forward. Argentine coach Sergioa Batista will hope to get as much out of Messi as he had in the Costa Rica game, but this is a different, tougher side than the previous one.
It must be said that the fansâ comments had an effect on the side and it was a mistake to compare the playing at Barcelona to playing for Argentina. It will be interesting to see whether he can shut the fans up with his ability in this game and the rest of the Copa America 2011.