Chile vs Peru
Copa America Semi-Final 2019
Kick-off: Thursday, 4 July at 01:30 UK/ 02:30 CET
Venue: Arena do Gremio.
Chile
Before 2015, Chile had never been crowned champions on their continent, but they now stand only 90 minutes from the chance to win the Copa America three times in a row.
This is an achievement that has only been achieved once before - by Argentina between 1945 and 1947 - and a victory over Peru on Thursday will put the Chilean on the verge of joining the legendary team including Alfredo Di Stefano and Copa America all time leading scorer Norberto Mendez in history books.
Reinaldo Rueda's side are favorites to at least reach the final once again - something they have not done since 1987 before this last round - but they will be careful of the Peruvian team that overthrew Uruguay last time.
Chile itself was defeated by Uruguay in the group stage and therefore had to settle for second place, despite a confident start to compete with victories over Japan and Ecuador.
Alexis Sanchez, who has struggled a lot at club level with Manchester United, seems to have rediscovered his best form with a few goals and a winning penalty during a quarter-final penalty shootout victory over Colombia.
La Roja has been scoreless since the second group match against Ecuador, though, after joining the rising ranks of the team that had to be rejected by the VAR because both Charles Aranguiz and Arturo Vidal saw strikes in the previous round.
A perfect appearance in the shootout ensured their progress to the semi-finals, and another victory over Peru - however - will show that there is still life in this golden generation after their failure to qualify for the World Cup last summer.
Chile have won many matches in this summer's tournament as they did in the 12 months that preceded it, and they will hope that such a return will bring them to another title.
Both hosts Brazil or Argentina - the last they defeated in the last two finals - will also deter them before they are reached, but first they must overcome a Peruvian team that will be ready to pounce on complacency from favorites. .
Peru
Peru's trip to the semi-finals was not entirely unexpected after starting the tournament as the CONMEBOL team ranked sixth highest in world football, but also did not sail easily.
Ricardo Gareca's side finished third in Group A behind Brazil and Venezuela and only made it to the knockout stages based on Paraguay and Japan - two teams in the other third place - both failed to win matches in the group stages.
The prizes for their unconvincing performances in the group, which included a goalless draw with Venezuela and hammering 5-0 at the hands of Brazil, were a difficult quarter-final match with Uruguay.
Peru rode their luck several times when Uruguay saw three goals ruled out for 90 minutes, but Pedro Gallese's rescue to deny Luis Suarez's opening penalty proved decisive because Peru remained perfect in the shootout.
La Blanquirroja's chances of reaching the final for the first time since 1975 can depend on whether they are easily destroyed like against Brazil or stubborn as against Uruguay, but one area that definitely needs to be improved is the record of attacking them.
Peru have failed to score in three of their four Copa America matches so far in this summer's competition and have not had a single shot to target in the quarter-finals against Uruguay, so to reach this far with a record like that is an impossible feat.
Los Incas is not a foreigner for the Copa America KO, though; they have made it to at least the quarter-finals in each of the last eight editions of the tournament and finished third in 2011 and 2015, accidentally losing to Chile in the final semi-final.
This is the next step towards reaching an exhibition event that has proven very difficult for them for years, though, making the finals only on two occasions in their history.
Peru have won both finals, which bodes well if they overcome Chile, but to do so will require a significant increase in a number of fields for the team who want to win a winning match for the first time since June 2018.
Chile is likely the starting lineup:
Arias; Isla, Medel, Maripan, Beausejour; Aranguiz, Pulgar, Vidal; Fuenzalida, Vargas, Sanchez
Peru might start the lineup:
Gallese; Advincula, Zambrano, Abram, Trauco; Yotun, Tapia; Carrillo, Cueva, Flores; Guerrero
Chile vs Peru Head-to-head (h2h)
12 of the last 14 clashes saw Chile's victory.
Nine of the last twelve meetings made Peru concede two or more goals.
It's been six years since Chile lost its competitive tie.
Peru lost 2-1 in the Copa 2015.
Chile vs Peru prediction
Chile has an amazing ability to improve their game so clearly that the stakes are high. That was clearly evident in the previous edition, where they lost to Argentina in the group stage, but then beat them in the final.
Likewise, this semi too large offers an opportunity to showcase the spirit and spirit of the current champion. In addition, of the four teams remaining in the dispute, it must be mentioned that Arturo Vidal's team clearly has attracted the easiest opponents.
They have phenomenal h2h statistics superior against this rival and impressively managed to win 12 of the last 14 h2 clashes. They have also lost once in competitive matches in the last 15 years. In addition, this group boasts of scoring two or more goals in nine of the last twelve battles against this team.
In addition, Peru faced a massive 5-0 defeat in their group stage meeting, and importantly, did not score against enemies other than Bolivia.
Chileans will regard this equipment as a blessing from heaven, and go to glory with all their might. They even have the confidence to be a team that is more mentally resilient if everything expands to a shootout. Rely on them to ensure their ticket to the final, and keep half of their field clear of goals at any cost.
Tips for Chile vs Peru Betting
Chile to Qualification @ 1,40 (2/5)
Peru Failed to Score @ 2.00 (1/1).
