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• Colombia v Panama: Copa America's surprise package down to more than just luck – Christensen

  Thomas Christiansen is challenging Panama to keep springing surprises at the Copa America when they face off against Colombia in the quarter-finals.

  After losing their opening game of the tournament 3-1 to free-scoring Uruguay, Panama dug in to cause an upset for host nation United States, coming from behind to win 2-1.

  A comfortable 3-1 victory over Bolivia followed secured second place in Group C as Panama booked their place in the knockout round of the Copa America for the very first time.

  Former Leeds United boss Christiansen challenged his team to be the surprise package, but says this result is years in the making.

  "When we were going to leave for the United States, I said I would like to be the surprise [of the tournament], like Morocco in the [2022] World Cup [who made it to the semi-finals]," he told reporters.

  "Well, now we're through to the next round. I am happy. Super happy.

  "It's constant, really, what we have been doing, what we have been reaping in these almost four years.

  "[Is it a] coincidence? I don't believe in coincidences. You have to work. You have to fight for it. Luck alone isn't enough."

  Colombia were the winners of Group D, beating Brazil to top spot.

  Wins over Paraguay and Costa Rica put Colombia in the driving seat before they held Dorival Junior's side to a 1-1 draw in the final match.

  While that may be a surprising outcome on the face of it, Colombia are the form team in South America and are on a 26-game unbeaten streak.

  Integral to their success has been James Rodriguez, who is often their talisman at major tournaments, having first come into the spotlight in the 2014 World Cup.

  "I feel comfortable, there is still a long way to go, we still have to play on Saturday, but I felt good," the ex-Real Madrid star said.

  "I am going through a good phase here; we are going step by step. Panama will be difficult, but we will play with a lot of quality."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Colombia – James Rodriguez

  James has been a driving force for Colombia at the tournament, having already recorded three assists.

  Colombia had the best crossing accuracy at the Copa America group stage, completing 41% of their crosses (20/49). James was responsible for 11 of their successful crosses – the most of any player in the tournament.

   

  Panama – Jose Fajardo

  Out of players who attempted more than five shots in the Copa America group stage, Jose Fajardo boasts the second-highest shot conversion rate.

  He scored with 29% of his attempts (2/7), bettered only by Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (44%), who is the tournament's leading scorer.

  MATCH PREDICTION: COLOMBIA WIN

  Colombia stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 26 matches with their draw against Brazil, and the Opta computer has backed them to continue that here.

  Colombia are playing in their sixth consecutive Copa America quarter-final, with each of their last four going to penalties. Los Cafeteros have won twice (against Peru in 2016 and Uruguay in 2021) and lost twice (against Argentina in 2015 and Chile in 2019).

  Panama have won four of their seven competitive matches in the 21st century against opponents from CONMEBOL (losing the other three).

  Two of those victories were against Colombia when they faced each other in the group stage (1-0) and the semifinals (3-2) of the 2005 Concacaf Gold Cup.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Colombia – 61.6%

  Draw – 19.6%

  Panama – 18.8%

• Belgium stalwart Vertonghen retires after Red Devils' Euro 2024 exit

  Jan Vertonghen has confirmed his retirement from international football.

  The 37-year-old ends his Belgium career as the nation's most-capped player.

  Vertonghen, who made his Belgium debut in 2007, made 157 appearances for his country.

  He helped the Red Devils reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, a quarter-final at Euro 2020, and also played at the World Cup in Qatar.

  The former Tottenham defender's final four appearances came at Euro 2024, as Belgium reached the last 16 – they were knocked out by France on Monday.

  Vertonghen is a free agent ahead of the 2024-25 season, with his contract at Anderlecht having expired.

• Klopp's replacement Slot knows there are 'big shoes to fill' at Liverpool

  New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is aware he has "big shoes to fill" as he kick-starts the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield.

  Klopp called time on his nine-year stint as Liverpool manager at the end of last season.

  The Reds enjoyed a period of great success under the German, whose trophy haul at the club included the Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Premier League.

  And Slot knows there is pressure on him to deliver.

  "When [Klopp] arrived he said he was the normal one but what made him special is the impression he left behind," former Feyenoord boss Slot said at a press conference on Friday.

  "Yeah, there are big shoes to fill, but you can also look at it in a way that you inherited a squad that has a winning culture.

  "As a manager you want to work at a club with good players and an opportunity to win something.

  "The past has shown there is a possibility to win some trophies. I look at it as ideal."

  Slot will not always have Klopp's legacy on his mind, though.

  He said: "People look at us and think we only think about the tactics board but you have to think about the way you talk to the players.

  "It is not about convincing them, it is part of the job to think about the best way to get the best out of them; whether to approach them as an individual or as a team.

  "I don't have Jurgen Klopp in mind, thinking 'what would he say'. No. I have to get to know the players to get the maximum out of them."

  Slot, however, is grateful for Klopp, who at the end of his final game in charge, rallied the Anfield crowd to sing their new coach's name.

  "That was special," the Dutchman added.

  "There are not many managers the fans sing for. They did for me after a few years at Feyenoord but without having worked here, the fans singing is a good start."