Colombia will look to pull off an upset and reach the Copa America final for the first time outside of their country when they take on a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on Tuesday.
Los Cafeteros have lost their six previous semi-finals at neutral venues in the competition, with their only two final appearances – in 1975 and 2001 – seeing them play at least one game on home soil.
Reinaldo Rueda's side beat Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals – David Ospina saving two spot-kicks in the shoot-out – following a goalless draw after 90 minutes.
A tough match with Argentina in Brasilia awaits and Rueda, who was only reappointed by Colombia in January, is happy with the progress made by his side in that short period.
"We played a very collective game against Uruguay, with a lot of solidarity and the right balance," he said. "All this helps us believe that we can continue with our improvements.
"We will continue to demand more and more from ourselves in each session before the next game."
If Colombia are to have any hope of overcoming Argentina, they will need to do something Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile failed to do by keeping Messi quiet.
He leads the Copa America scoring charts with four goals, including a fine free-kick in the quarter-final win over Ecuador, while also providing a competition-high four assists.
Messi has never previously won a trophy with Argentina, and that remains the superstar forward's main focus ahead of Tuesday's semi-final showdown.
"I've always said that individual prizes are secondary. We're here for something else," he said. "We have an objective and we're focused on that."
Argentina squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Colombia in their most recent meeting just last month, a game that is still fresh in Messi's memory.
"They denied us in a match that we had under control. That's why we can't take this for granted," Messi added. "We have to play our game and keep hold of the ball."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Argentina - Lionel Messi
With his four goals and four assists so far, Messi has been involved in 80 per cent of Argentina's 10 goals at this edition of the Copa America.
He may not be focused on individual honours, but he is now just one short of Brazil great Pele's all-time goals record (77) for a South American country.
Colombia - Juan Cuadrado
The versatile Juventus winger missed his side's quarter-final with Uruguay after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage, but he is back in contention to face Argentina.
While Cuadrado may not have a goal or assist to his name yet this tournament, he remains one of Colombia's most dangerous players and his fresh legs could come in handy.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Argentina and Colombia will face each other for the third time in the Copa America semi-finals. The first meeting was in 1993, when Argentina won on penalties, and the second one was in 2004 with another win for Argentina.
- The last time these sides faced each other in the Copa America was in 2019 with a 2-0 win for Colombia.
- Argentina have failed to progress from just one of their last six Copa America semi-finals: against Brazil in 2019 (a 2-0 loss). Argentina have never played a Copa America final on Brazilian soil.
- Colombia are the team with the most recoveries (306), interceptions (74) and fouls conceded (78, alongside Paraguay) in the current Copa America.
'I'm still trying to crack the code' - Dyche working 'tirelessly' to address Everton form
Sean Dyche says he is working "tirelessly" to "crack the code" as he aims to turn Everton's fortunes around.
The Toffees sit just two points above the Premier League relegation zone, having only won two matches this season and gone five without victory.
Everton have also failed to score in their four most recent outings, and will be desperate to put things right against fellow strugglers Wolves on Wednesday.
And Dyche, whose contract expires at the end of this term, says he is working harder than he ever has before during his 13-year managerial career to get his side back on track.
"Sometimes me, my staff and the players haven't delivered as well as we could do," he said.
"But we work tirelessly. This is the most work I've done in all my years in management, at this club, without a shadow of a doubt.
"I'm more than ready for the challenge. It could be easier because, for sure, I've made errors this season, the team has made errors, they are there for all to see.
"It's a fact of life as a manager, you have to get the margins right, and we haven't done so far this season. You've got to win games, and we haven't won enough games.
"We've got ourselves in a position where we feel we should be doing better - myself included - and now it is about taking on the challenge. I'm still trying to crack the code, as others have done before me."
Defending champions All Saints United beat Garden Stars 3-1 in early top of the table clash in ABFA Premier League
Saturday’s triple header in the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League provided fans with an entertaining day of football with a total of 13 goals produced in the three games at the ABFA Technical Center.
The evening’s featured game saw defending champions All Saints United FC have to come from behind to hand Garden Stars their first defeat of the season with a 3-1 victory.
National striker Raheem Deterville gave All Saints an early lead in the 8th minute before Karique Knight equalised for Garden Stars eight minutes later.
Vashami Allen restored United’s lead in the 21st minute before Deterville secured his brace and the victory with a goal five minutes from full time.
With the win, All Saints United moved to the top of the table with 16 points from six games, the same amount of points as Aston Villa and Garden Stars who trail on goal difference by one and nine, respectively.
Green City FC emerged victorious in a five-goal thriller against Greenbay Hoppers FC, winning 3-2.
Kamali Looby gave Hoppers the lead in the 33rd minute before Carllon Warner equalised for Green City just before halftime.
However, six minutes into the second half, Kadeem Campbell restored Hoppers’ lead.
Green City did not fold, however, equalizing through Amali Colbourne in the 61st minuteto put the game back into a deadlock.
The Green City persistence paid off in the end as Elijah Whyte converted a 68th minute penalty to secure the three points.
The third matchup saw Pigotts Bullets SC pepper John Hughes FC, securing a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
An unfortunate own goal from Jamoy Stevens (33′) opened the scoring, followed by Akeem Isaac’s penalty three minutes later.
Goals from Xavier Smith (42′) and Tyrique Thwaites (45+2′ penalty) completed the rout before halftime as the victors continued their impressive season.
Arteta already sees Amorim influence on Man Utd
Mikel Arteta feels Ruben Amorim's influence is already visible in Manchester United's play, ahead of Arsenal facing the Red Devils in a huge matchup on Wednesday.
United have one win and one draw from two Premier League matches under the former Sporting CP coach, drawing 1-1 at Ipswich Town before crushing Everton 4-0.
On Wednesday, the United boss will face his toughest test yet as United visit the Emirates Stadium, where they have lost on seven of their last nine Premier League visits (one win, one draw), losing on their last three.
Last Sunday's comprehensive victory over Everton was the biggest ever managed by a permanent United boss in their first home league match at the helm.
They registered 59.9% possession, 630 total passes and three big chances in that match, with all of those figures bettering their per-game averages under former boss Erik ten Hag this term (52.2% possession, 494 passes and 2.9 big chances).
Arteta has been impressed by the swift nature of Amorim's impact, saying at Tuesday's pre-match press conference: "You can see his fingerprints already in how he wants to play.
"You know what he wants to do straight away, I think he's been very clear. He's been very successful with Sporting.
"It's remarkable after so many years what he achieved there, especially in the way he did it and the way his teams have been playing.
"He brings energy to the club, to the players, new ideas and that's always something that's positive.
"We focus on ourselves. We're on a good run and have good momentum. It will be a big and beautiful match against United."
Arsenal are currently trailing pacesetters Liverpool by nine points at the Premier League summit, with United six points further back in ninth place.
However, Arteta still thinks plenty of teams could catch Arne Slot's Reds – including United.
"We're still very early in the season. Any team that has the capacity to put wins in a row has a chance," the Spaniard said. "I think anything is possible."
Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-2 last time out, with Bukayo Saka scoring a penalty and laying on two assists.
Saka has now provided 10 assists in Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this season – only Harry Kane (11 in 2020-21), Cesc Fabregas (12 in 2014-15) and Mesut Ozil (12 in 2015-16) have reached double figures fewer games into a team's Premier League campaign.
Arteta feels the England international has made a visible step up this season, saying: "In terms of the numbers, yes.
"We see a shift from Bukayo every single year. He's more and more consistent. He can only improve and only get better. He wants more."
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