Nestor Lorenzo says Colombia will not be satisfied unless they win the Copa America, with Uruguay next up for them in the semi-final.

Los Cafeteros are the in-form team at the tournament, and are on a 27-match unbeaten run in after their dominant 5-0 victory over Panama in the last round.

They have won all but one of their games at the Copa America so far, drawing 1-1 with Brazil in the other to secure top spot in Group D.

Colombia have only won the Copa America once before, back in 2001, and despite their fine run of form, Lorenzo says their tournament run will only be a success if they end their 23-year wait for a second title.

"To have a good Copa America is to win it," Lorenzo said. "It is not an abstract concept. The objective is to win every game we play, and the boys know that.

"[We take it] game by game. The goal is to win the next game. The most important game is the next one.

"We are confirming the importance of coming to the national team and wearing the shirt. They [the players] feel a great pride in being there and that is typical of players.

"In this team, they kill themselves for their teammates. We worked hard on that from the beginning. It's the way I feel about football from the technical direction."

Uruguay played out a goalless draw with Brazil before prevailing on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals.

Despite showing off their free-flowing play early in the group stage, their defensive solidity has pushed them forward in the competition as they have not conceded in any of their last three matches.

They now face off against the highest scorers in this year's Copa America, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa knowing they face a stern test against Colombia's attackers.

"Colombia has many forwards, which is not common today," Bielsa said. "There is more than one option for each level without much difference.

"The Colombian footballer has undergone a transformation. 'He' has always been creative, dominant, naturally competitive and has added the essentials to survive in today's football."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Uruguay – Jose Maria Gimenez

If Jose Maria Gimenez plays against Colombia, he will become the sixth Uruguayan player to reach 20 appearances in the Copa America, joining the ranks of Diego Perez, Roberto Porta (both 20), Schubert Gambetta (21), Fernando Muslera (22), and Angel Romano (23).

Colombia – James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez has provided five assists in this year's Copa America. One more assist will make him the first player to surpass this figure in a single edition since these records began in 2011, breaking the current record he shares with Lionel Messi (five assists in 2021).

He has also created the most chances so far (14) and got his first goal last time out in their win over Panama.

MATCH PREDICTION: URUGUAY WIN

Uruguay and Colombia are meeting for the third time in a Copa America semi-final. The first encounter was in 1975, with Los Cafeteros advancing to the final, while in 1995, La Celeste triumphed 2-0 and later claimed the title against Brazil.

Colombia are competing in the semi-finals for the seventh time since 1993, but have only reached the final once in that time, when they beat Mexico 1-0 to lift the title in 2001.

They have already equalled their most prolific scoring runs at the tournament, having netted 11 goals so far (also achieved in 1975 and 2001).

While Colombia's goalscoring has caught the eye, they now face the stingiest defence at the Copa America.

Uruguay have conceded just one goal (against Panama). It is the fewest goals allowed by La Celeste in their first four matches of a Copa America edition since 1959 – they won the title in Ecuador, conceding just one goal, and Bielsa's team are backed to win by Opta's supercomputer.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Uruguay – 46.2%

Draw – 25.1%

Colombia – 28.7%

Jesse Marsch is keen to show off Canada's growth as they bid to reach the Copa America final by beating Argentina on Tuesday.

Canada were the lowest-ranked side in Group A but advanced as runners-up ahead of Chile and Peru.

They were then held to a 1-1 draw with Venezuela in the quarter-finals but won on penalties to set up a second meeting with Argentina in the semi-finals.

Having already exceeded expectations in their debut Copa America, Marsch believes a re-match against the reigning champions is the perfect chance to make history.

"What an incredible opportunity to continue to show further growth," Marsch told reporters.

"It's not about how we can beat Argentina as much as how can we honour our development path and where are we trying to go and test ourselves at a very high level.

"Argentina is the best team in the world, and you can see how aggressive and sharp they are, how good [Lionel] Messi is.

"There are things we did well when we played against them. I think knowing their level and quality will be an advantage for us.

"My mind is wrapped totally around giving our team a chance to not just have a special experience, but a real special victory."

Les Rouges lost 2-0 in their tournament opener against Argentina, with Messi involved in both goals without finding the back of the net.

This time around, Marsch urged his team to make big improvements in their handling of the Albiceleste's talisman.

"We didn't do well enough with Messi last match, and he was able to run free at our goalkeeper too much," Marsch added.

"We won't man-mark him, but he will be an emphasis in how we will defend and our ability to keep track of him will be really important.

"We have certain things that we'll try to do to try to make it difficult for him, but we know that limiting his space is the number one thing.

"We don't want him free and running at our back line, and running at our goalkeeper like last game, where that was not good enough, but we all know he is the greatest player to ever play the game."

Despite injury concerns, Lionel Scaloni is adamant that Lionel Messi is fit to play in their Copa America semi-final against Canada.

The Argentina captain sustained a hamstring injury in their second group game against Chile, forcing him out of the following match against Peru.

However, Messi returned for their quarter-final meeting with Ecuador, notably missing the first spot-kick in the penalty shootout, which they won thanks to two Emiliano Martinez saves.

After Messi admitted he "trained with fear" ahead of his return from injury against La Tricolor, Scaloni has brushed off any worries about his star man's fitness.

"99% of the time, [Messi] is fit to play," Scaloni said. "It's never happened to me that he's not fit to play.

"Every time he's come out on the pitch, he's fit to play. For [Canada], he's fit to play, without a doubt.

"It's a very easy decision for me, because it's a very frank decision, that if he's fine, he plays; and if he's not fine, he plays the last 30 minutes. It's that easy.

"It's true that that won't ever weigh on me. I know what he can give us even if he's not in optimal condition. I wouldn't make the grave mistake of not putting him on the pitch knowing that he gives us a lot, so that's indisputable."

Argentina opened their Copa America title defence with a 2-0 victory over Canada on June 20.

Scaloni acknowledged the benefit of that first meeting, though conceded Jesse Marsch was unlikely to take the same approach in a bid to reach the final.

"Canada has players who are physically strong and also technically good, with a coach who has conveyed an aggressive way of playing," he added.

"They have made things difficult for all teams. Physically, it's difficult to match them, but with our assets, we hope to play the game on our side.

"All coaches take notes to correct mistakes and hurt our opponents. Each coach will have to do something different. We will try to have the ball and stop them from playing their game."

Paraguay have dismissed head coach Daniel Garnero after less than a year in charge following their woeful Copa America campaign.

The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) announced the decision on Monday, parting ways with the 54-year-old after just 10 matches in charge.

Paraguay finished bottom of Group D without a win at the 2024 Copa, losing to Colombia 2-1, 4-1 to Brazil and then 2-1 to Costa Rica.

"The APF announces the termination of the relationship with DT Daniel Garnero as head coach of the Paraguayan national team," the federation said in a short statement on social media.

The 54-year-old was only appointed in September 2023, replacing compatriot Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Yet Argentina's Garnero was given his marching orders with Paraguay out of the continental tournament, and sitting seventh in the 10-team standings for South American qualification to the 2026 World Cup.

Canada must produce the performance of their lives to have any chance of upsetting holders Argentina to reach the Copa America final, acknowledges Jesse Marsch.

Marsch's team will face the World Cup winners for a final berth at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, having overcome Venezuela in a penalty shoot-out in the last eight.

They are just the fourth CONCACAF team to reach the Copa semi-finals and the third to do so on their debut, after Mexico (1993 runners-up), Honduras (third in 2001) and the United States (third in 1995).

They face the sternest of tests next up, however, having already lost to Lionel Messi and the rest of Argentina's stars in their opening group-stage game.

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez were on target in that match as Lionel Scaloni's team triumphed 2-0 in Atlanta, rifling off 19 shots worth 3.02 expected goals (xG) to Canada's 10 (1.16 xG).

While Canada have won plenty of admirers on their run to the last four, Marsch knows they need to step up further on Tuesday.

"Argentina will have to be the best match we've ever played and it still might not be enough," he said. "But whatever. We're going to go for it."

Captain Alphonso Davies echoed those sentiments but pointed out Canada had given Argentina a scare in their earlier game, saying: "It's going to take everything. We played them in the group stage and we played well but didn't get the win we wanted."

Argentina boss Scaloni hit out at the quality of the pitch after that earlier meeting at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Messi says the surfaces have had an impact throughout the tournament.

"The pitch always has an influence. It's a reality that the pitches aren't good," he told reporters, as quoted by The Athletic.

"I think the best one was the one in Miami, which was good from what you saw from the outside at least. It's natural and that's already different. Of course, it has an influence."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Argentina – Alexis Mac Allister 

Mac Allister assisted Lisandro Martinez's opener versus Ecuador in the last eight, then held his nerve from the spot as the world champions triumphed in a shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.

The Liverpool midfielder has two assists at this year's tournament. Since such data began in 2011, only Lionel Messi (in 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2021) has ever provided three or more assists for Argentina at a single edition of the Copa America. 

Mac Allister has completed 122 of his 135 passes at this tournament, with 70 of those being played in the opposition half. With Canada likely to sit deep, it could fall on him to keep things ticking over and provide service for Messi and his fellow attackers.

Canada – Maxime Crepeau

Crepeau was forced into six saves in Canada's Copa America opener versus Argentina, and he could be busy again here.

However, he has been in excellent form throughout this tournament, conceding three goals from 4.95 expected goals on target (xGoT) faced, with only Claudio Bravo (3.66 goals prevented) and Rafael Romo (2.36) overperforming their underlying goalkeeping statistics by a greater margin.

Only Sergio Rochet and Emiliano Martinez (three each) have bettered his two clean sheets at this tournament. He will have his work cut out to keep another, though.

MATCH PREDICTION: ARGENTINA WIN

Argentina have now reached the semi-finals at seven of their last eight major tournaments, with the 2018 World Cup being the only exception.

They have won their last 10 matches against CONCACAF opponents in official competitions, not conceding a goal in any of their last six such games.

Additionally, the defending champions have reached the last four at five of the last seven editions of the Copa America, and only two of them – Colombia in 2004 and Chile in 2019 – failed to make the final. The omens, then, are not good for Canada.

It will be the fifth time Argentina have faced the same opponents twice at a single edition of the Copa America since the current format was introduced in 1993. Two of the previous four instances included a semi-final meeting (Colombia in 1993 and Paraguay in 2015), with the other two including the final (Mexico in 1993 and Chile in 2016).

La Albiceleste did, however, only win one of those four editions, lifting the trophy in 1993, then waiting 28 years to reclaim their place as South America's finest in 2021.

They are assigned an 84% chance of reaching the final by the Opta supercomputer, with Canada out to cause one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Argentina – 76.7%

Canada – 9.8%

Draw – 13.6%

Thomas Christiansen believes Panama's exit from the Copa America will prove to be a "learning experience" for his players following their defeat to Colombia. 

Panama had no answers to a James Rodriguez-inspired performance, bowing out of the competition after a 5-0 defeat to Los Cafeteros in Arizona. 

Christiansen's side reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in their history, having fallen in the group stages in 2016. 

Panama finished second in Group C in this year's edition behind Uruguay, while also knocking out hosts United States out in the process. 

Los Canaleros knew the enormity of the task ahead of them and have now failed to beat Colombia in their 15 fixtures against them (drawn four, lost 11). 

However, head coach Christiansen was proud of his team's efforts and knows his players will return stronger from the defeat. 

"I am very proud of my players, of what they have achieved in this Copa America," Christiansen said. 

"Of course, no one likes losing and much the less 5-0, but we have to commend the players for this Copa America.

"It did not end as we wished, but this is also a learning experience."

James Rodriguez wants to be the Copa America's standout player, and is going some way to being just that.

Colombia reached the semi-finals with a thumping 5-0 defeat of Panama on Saturday, with James taking a starring role as Los Cafeteros claimed their biggest Copa Ameria win.

James scored a penalty and supplied two assists, including a delicious ball for Luis Diaz to make it 3-0 just before half-time.

The former Real Madrid playmaker, who hardly featured for club side Sao Paulo last season, has now created five goals at this edition of the tournament, equalling the record haul for assists (since Opta began collecting such data) at the Copa America, alongside Lionel Messi's five in 2021.

And having missed out on a call-up to Colombia's squad in 2021, James made it clear he plans on being the tournament's standout performer. 

"A tough match, they are very strong, but we played well, we knew how to score the goals quickly and that gave us control of the match," James said.

"Did I want to be the best player of the Copa? Yes, I wanted to have a very good Cup, help my team-mates to go far.

"We are going until the last day, let's hope we can reach that great final that we all want, we are going through a good moment too.

"The most important thing is still to come. We hope to reach the final."

Saturday's match was the second time James has directly contributed to three goals in a competitive match for Colombia, after scoring and providing two assists against Japan in the 2014 World Cup (4-1), in which he won the Golden Boot.

Colombia are now unbeaten in 27 games, matching their best such streak, and will face Uruguay, who overcame Brazil 4-2 on penalties, for a place in the final.

Uruguay showed their character and the national team's "style" in their penalty shootout win over Brazil, so says Marcelo Bielsa.

Fifteen-time Copa America champions Uruguay progressed to the semi-finals at Brazil's expense with a 4-2 victory in the shootout after a 0-0 draw in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Uruguay, who have quickly adapted to Bielsa's full-throttle attacking approach, had to play out the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Nahitan Nandez was sent off for a lunge on Rodrygo.

It meant the usual offensive tactics had to make way for defensive ones, though from Nandez's red card onwards, Uruguay limited Brazil to just two attempts.

"Everything that happens, happens Uruguayan style, because the players are the ones that give their all to the team," Bielsa said.

"It was a match with very little goal opportunities, highly contested, very close, even with very little changes in possession.

"When we were one man down, we decided to dedicate ourselves to defending in our half.

"So holding on to that result as the Uruguayan team did shows the profile of Uruguayan football.

"They were very calm in the penalty shootout that demands not only accuracy but also character."

Uruguay have now kept three successive clean sheets, while they limited Brazil to 0.58 expected goals (xG), and their defensive resilience has pleased Bielsa.

"I am a bit more drawn to the offensive than the defensive game, but in a match that was as tight as this one, we created one more opportunity than our opponent and we defended well," Bielsa added.

"I do think that defensively, not because I achieved it but because the players are inherently good at defending, that they are very good at keeping a clean sheet."

This is the first time Uruguay have reached the semi-finals of the Copa America since the last time they won the trophy in 2011.

La Celeste had endured three consecutive quarter-final appearances without advancing, with two of those being decided by penalties (2019 and 2021).

Uruguay will face in-form Colombia, who hammered Paraguay 5-0, in the last four.

Dorival Junior has asked for time to complete his revamp of the Brazil national team after the Selecao's Copa America exit.

Brazil, nine-time Copa America champions, lost 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Uruguay in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Eder Militao and Douglas Luiz were unsuccessful from 12 yards, as a disappointing and often disjointed campaign for Brazil, who were without the suspended Vinicius Junior, came to a halt.

Dorival left out some big names for the tournament, while Neymar was absent through injury, and the coach, who was appointed in January, has reiterated the rebuild will require some patience.

He said: "We are undergoing a very important renovation or reinvention of this team.

"I have only coached this team for eight matches and this is a process that we have to go through.

"We are aware of the difficulties we will come across throughout the path, but we now lost a match in the knockouts and that wasn't what we expected."

Brazil are sixth in the South American qualification standings for the 2026 World Cup, and Dorival knows the Selecao must sharpen up.

"We have a lot of room to continue growing, evolving, improving and our main objective now is to qualify for the World Cup," he continued.

"Right now we are sixth in the standings, we are not comfortable with that."

Dorival did, however, point to Uruguay's rise back to form under Marcelo Bielsa as evidence that long-term projects can come to fruition.

"I think the Uruguayan national team has a pattern, a very well-defined pattern," he said.

"They have been working for a long time together. They had some problems at first, they corrected them.

"Now they are finding great results. I think we will achieve all that as well, not a doubt about it, but we need some time to make such corrections.

"We had some issues at the beginning of the tournament. I think we corrected plenty of mistakes. 

"It is tough given the period of time that we had to work to try to speed up the process. I think we'll have some more time in the future."

Brazil were dumped out of the Copa America by 10-man Uruguay, who survived Nahitan Nandez's red card to win on penalties after a bad-tempered, goalless quarter-final.

Marcelo Bielsa's team played the final 16 minutes a man down after Nandez was dismissed for a reckless lunge on Rodrygo, but with star winger Vinicius Junior suspended, Brazil were unable to find a winner and were made to pay in the shoot-out.

Sergio Rochet saved from Eder Militao before Douglas Luiz struck the post, and though Jose Gimenez squandered Uruguay's first chance to win it, Manuel Ugarte made no mistake with their next attempt.

They will now face Colombia in the last four after James Rodriguez inspired Los Cafeteros to a 5-0 rout of Panama, while Brazil's wait for a 10th Copa title goes on.

Brazil struggled to match Uruguay's intensity early on and survived a couple of close calls. Darwin Nunez saw a header hit Militao and drop just wide of the left-hand post before Mathias Olivera powered over the crossbar from the resulting corner.

The Selecao's first opening came just before the half-hour mark as Endrick intercepted a loose back pass from Matias Vina before finding Raphinha, who was just unable to get his shot off.

Uruguay lost Ronald Araujo to a hamstring injury 33 minutes in, and though the game became littered with fouls, both sides carved out chances before the interval.

Nunez should have done better when he headed Nandez's glorious right-wing cross over, then Raphinha twice shot straight at Rochet after scampering in behind.

Federico Valverde fired over after the break as the blood-and-thunder nature of the game continued. Referee Dario Herrera repeatedly dipped into his pocket as the challenges became ever more rugged, and with 74 minutes played, he brandished a red card.

Originally booked for catching Rodrygo in full flight with his studs high on his opponent's ankle, Nandez was given his marching orders following a VAR review. 

Penalties were Uruguay's goal from then on as they sacrificed Nunez for an extra defensive body and sat deep, and they got over the line as Endrick sent a tame effort straight at Rochet, making it three of four Copa quarter-finals to go to a shoot-out this year.

While Uruguay's first three kicks were perfect, Rochet got down to palm Militao's effort away and Luiz struck the left post, putting La Celeste on the brink.

Captain Gimenez was denied by a fine stop by Alisson, but Ugarte kept his nerve to blast his kick home and win the tie.

Uruguay battle through 

Alongside the vibrant atmospheres and silky skills on display at the Copa America, the tournament is often characterised by a little rough and tumble.

That was certainly the case on Saturday, with Uruguay's 26 fouls committed the highest figure recorded by any team at this year's tournament, the previous high being 20 (by three teams).

Endrick and Rodrygo were bullied out of the contest, even failing to make their mark after Nandez's terrible challenge on the latter gave the Selecao a one-man advantage. 

While Uruguay have won plaudits for their free-flowing approach under Bielsa at this tournament, it was their old grit that got them over the line on Saturday, with South America's great overachievers punching above their weight once again.

Penalty pain for toothless Brazil

Penalties were Brazil's nemesis at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as they were stunned by Croatia at the quarter-final stage, and it was a similar story here.

It was their failings in regulation time, however, that cost them.

After Nandez's 74th-minute dismissal, Brazil only managed two shots of any description. The first came from the free-kick that resulted from Nandez's foul, and the second was a tame 20-yard attempt from Endrick.

Endrick, remarkably, played the full 90 minutes and only completed one pass, from kick-off.

In total, the two teams managed just 21 touches in the opposing penalty areas, the joint-fewest in any game at this tournament, alongside Costa Rica versus Paraguay.

James Rodriguez stole the show with a goal and two assists as Colombia breezed into the Copa America semi-finals after brushing Panama aside with a 5-0 thrashing on Saturday.

Colombia captain Rodriguez teed up Jhon Cordoba's opener and Luis Diaz's cool lob either side of his own 15th-minute penalty at State Farm Stadium.

Richard Rios hammered home another after 70 minutes in bizarre circumstances after the referee appeared to blow for a Colombia penalty, then Miguel Borja converted when Nestor Lorenzo's side were awarded another spot-kick in stoppage time.

Having dispatched Panama with ease, a semi-final meeting with either Brazil or Uruguay awaits for Colombia, who have reached the last four in three of their last four Copa tournaments.

Colombia needed just eight minutes to open the scoring as Cordoba found space inside the six-yard box, diving low to head Rodriguez's right-sided corner past Orlando Mosquera.

Jose Fajardo blazed over in response but Lorenzo's side would soon extend their advantage only seven minutes after taking the lead.

Panama goalkeeper Mosquera felled the onrushing Jhon Arias, with a lengthy VAR check reviewing a potential offside in the build-up before the penalty decision was confirmed.

Yet that stoppage failed to detract from Rodriguez's focus as the attacking midfielder hammered into the top-right corner from 12 yards, sending Mosquera the wrong way.

Panama almost halved the arrears soon after, though Edgardo Farina's header from Eric Davis' free-kick cannoned against the left post before Camilo Vargas somehow parried away on the line.

Thomas Christensen's side suffered further damage just before the break as Rodriguez's quick-thinking free-kick from inside his own half set up Diaz to lob the stranded Mosquera from just outside the Panama box.

Panama provided a battling performance of some sorts in the second half, yet for the wrong reasons as numerous fouls slowed the game down with Jovani Welch and Farina both cautioned.

Daniel Munoz was then felled as the referee appeared to blow his whistle and point to the penalty spot, only for Rios to arrow into the bottom-right corner from range to make the advantage count.

Christensen and the Panama bench cut frustrated figures following that odd refereeing sequence, and that annoyance furthered when Borja slotted a stoppage-time penalty into the bottom-right corner after Jose Cordoba clumsily hacked down Santiago Arias.

Who can stop Rodriguez-inspired Colombia?

Lorenzo's men are now a remarkable 27 games unbeaten after their dominant victory, though a huge test awaits them in the semi-finals against either Uruguay or Brazil.

Yet both of those sides may be no match for Colombia if Rodriguez's imperious form is anything to go by.

The Sao Paolo midfielder is the first player in the Copa America to both score and assist within the opening 15 minutes of a match, since such records began in 2011.

Rodriguez is also the first player at the 2024 edition to reach six goal involvements (one goal, five assists), ahead of Argentina's Lautaro Martinez and Venezuela's Salomon Rondon (both four).

The Colombia captain's five assists are three more than any other player so far at this Copa. Will that creativity lead Lorenzo's side to glory?

Panama pain

The 2024 edition of the Copa America marked only Panama's second participation, with this their first instance of making the knockout stages.

Panama may have been confident for this one, too, having won four of their previous seven competitive meetings this century against CONMEBOL sides (three defeats).

Indeed, two of those victories came against Colombia (both at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup), and Christensen's team impressed this year in Group C to pip the United States to second.

Yet they were brought crashing back down to earth here, with no way back after a first-half blitz from an imperious Colombia side.

Luis Suarez admitted that "the flame is dying out" as he edges towards the end of his career.

Suarez is currently at the Copa America with Uruguay, who topped their group with three wins from three and are preparing for a quarter-final against Brazil.

Unlike in previous tournaments where he was the main man, the 37-year-old has been limited to just two substitute appearances so far, with Marcelo Bielsa steering the side towards younger talents.

Despite only playing for eight minutes in total, Suarez, who is Uruguay's all-time top scorer with 68 goals, is determined to enjoy what is likely his final major tournament for his country.

"I'm enjoying every moment very much," Suarez told AUF TV.

"It is something that at my age, as you get older, you enjoy it more and more whether you're playing a lot or playing a little, because you know that the flame of football is dying out.

"I'm just one more [player in the squad], you've already seen it. Playing or not playing, I'm happy with the part I'm doing and trying to help as much as I can."

While Suarez was at Atletico Madrid, head coach Diego Simeone described a crucial period in the 2020-21 title race as entering the 'Luis Suarez zone', as they used his experience to get them over the line.

With Uruguay, though, Suarez is putting his faith in the young players to get the job done against Brazil.

"I hope [the zone] doesn't appear in this Copa because that would mean that Uruguay is doing well and that it's not necessary," the forward added.

"If it's needed, we'll be there because we hope to write another chapter in the national team.

"This group gave a very big blow in the World Cup qualifiers by beating Brazil and Argentina. They earned that power on the pitch by showing that they can beat anyone.

"The time has come to prove it, and it's a great test for us."

Venezuela head coach Fernando Batista has branded their Copa America quarter-final exit as "part of the process" after losing on penalties to Canada.

La Vinotinto enjoyed a perfect group stage, winning all three of their games to top Group B while conceding just one goal.

They fought back to force the shootout on Friday, with Salomon Rondon scoring a stunning long-range effort to cancel out Jacob Shaffelburg's early opener.

However, Wilker Angel missed his spot-kick when it went to sudden death, and Canada, making their tournament debut, went into the semi-finals.

Batista has remained positive though, saying his team will use this tournament as a springboard to try and qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.

"This is a long process," Batista said.

"We have a huge dream that we're going for. All Venezuelans want to qualify for the World Cup.

"And the Copa America gave us a possibility of strengthening our squad."

Jesse Marsch has praised Canada for their "willingness" during a "fast learning curve" after they booked a place in the Copa America semi-final.

Les Rouges earned a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela after Salomon Rondon had cancelled out Jacob Shaffelburg's opener as the match finished 1-1 in normal time.

Maxime Crepeau then saved two penalties before it went to sudden death, and Ismael Kone scored the decisive spot-kick to send them into the next round.

After a poor string of results at the start of Marsch's tenure, Canada were tipped to make an early exit during their maiden Copa America.

However, they have defied the odds, and the American credited the spirit of his squad for pushing them forward.

"All the things that I know about them now, I sensed back then; their commitment, their desire, their willingness to learn," Marsch said.

"All of that has led to bigger belief and self-confidence.

"It's a very athletic team. It's a very fast team. I've tried to build in the right kind of aggression for them to go after opponents, to go after big games and to believe in how we're building this.

"Their commitment to try to learn, their belief in what I'm doing with them is very, very high. They're capable because they're athletic, because they're strong, because they're young.

"We've seen an incredibly fast learning curve, but it's because they're excited about playing this way, and they're excited about what we're trying to achieve together."

Captain Alphonso Davies was one of the players who stepped up during the shoot-out as he picked out the top corner with the penultimate penalty, knowing a miss would have sent them home.

After seeing a tame penalty saved in a defeat against Belgium in the 2022 World Cup, Davies was pleased to replace that memory with something more positive.

"Obviously, I had flashbacks to the World Cup, but I did not let that get to me. I knew where I wanted to go before I walked up to the ball," Davies told Canadian broadcaster TSN.

"It's going to take everything. We played them in the group stage. We played well but didn't get the win we wanted."

Canada will face Argentina in the semi-final at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, having lost their tournament opener to the Albiceleste 2-0.

James Rodriguez says Colombia are not getting ahead of themselves as they prepare to take on minnows Panama in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Panama shocked the hosts United States in the group stage, with that 2-1 win over the Stars and Stripes paving the way for a 3-1 victory over Bolivia, which secured their place in the last eight.

Their reward is a contest against Colombia, who are unbeaten in their last 26 matches and finished top of Group D, ahead of nine-time Copa America winners Brazil.

The Opta supercomputer hands Colombia a 61.6% chance of winning the tie, with Panama's win likelihood only 18.8%, but captain James knows Nestor Lorenzo's team must be focused on the task at hand at State Farm Stadium.

"There's still a lot of work to do, and on Saturday we have to come out and play very focused," said the former Real Madrid star.

"We are going step by step. Panama will be difficult, but we will play with a lot of quality."

James, who turns 33 next week, has been sensational for Colombia at the tournament.

Having been left out of their squad at the last Copa America in 2021, James has provided a tournament-leading three assists, while creating 11 chances overall, level with Lionel Messi.

"I feel comfortable," said James, who has been playing in Brazil after spells in Qatar and Greece following his one-year stint with Everton.

"There is still a long way to go, we still have to play on Saturday, but I feel good. I am going through a good phase here."