Argentina vs Colombia: Messi can continue scoring spree to set up Brazil final
The impressive Argentines can reach yet another final with a victory over Colombia as they look to conquer their Copa America curse.
When: Wednesday, July 7, 2am GMT
Where: Brasilia
How to watch: BBC
Best bets
Lionel Messi inspired the Argentines to a comfortable 3-0 victory in their quarter-final clash against Ecuador, scoring one and creating two for Lionel Scaloni's side.
As well as recording their third clean sheet of the tournament, La Abiceleste have scored 10 goals in five games and head into the clash in great form.
Argentina were not the only team to impress in the quarter-finals, though. Colombia overcame Luis Suarez's Uruguay in a penalty shootout, winning 4-2.
Copa America form
Argentina
Argentina 1-1 Chile
Argentina 1-0 Uruguay
Argentina 1-0 Paraguay
Bolivia 1- 4 Argentina
Argentina 3-0 Ecuador
Following a disappointing draw against Chile in their opening match of the tournament, Argentina have emerged as a serious force in the competition - winning four straight games, scoring six and conceding only once.
Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa is enjoying his stint as Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper.
Wins include a 3-0 drubbing of Ecuador and a 4-1 thrashing of Bolivia. Of the seven goals scored by La Abiceleste in the last two fixtures, Lionel Messi has been involved in six of them, producing three goals and three assists.
With Barcelona's Sergio Aguero and Lautaro Martinez also finding the net in recent performances, the Colombians face a monumental task on their hands in stopping the astounding attack of the Argentines.
Colombia
Colombia 1-0 Ecuador
Colombia 0-0 Venezuela
Colombia 1-2 Peru
Brazil 2-1 Colombia
Uruguay 0 (2) - (4) 0 Colombia (AET and Penalties)
After stunning Brazil with a shock lead, it took a Roberto Firmino goal in the 100th minute to snatch three points away.
Very few would have also expected Rueda's men to triumph against the robust Uruguayans.
They took the game to La Celeste, creating more chances in the game and tirelessly fought throughout two hours of soccer.
While Suarez and Edinson Cavani scored from 12 yards out, they missed their other two compared to Colombia converting four out of four.
Magic Messi has his eye on the prize
Fresh off the back of another brilliant personal campaign for Barcelona, Messi has picked up where he left off for La Albiceleste as he chases a first trophy at international level.
The forward has played 35 games so far in 2021, 26 of which have seen him crowned man of the match. His march towards a seventh Ballon D'Or is gathering momentum with each game he plays in.
Argentina squad:
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Emiliano Martinez, Agustin Marchesin and Juan Musso
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Cristian Romero and Nahuel Molina Lucero
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Rodrigo De Paul, Alejandro Gomez, Angel Correa and Nicolas Dominguez
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Joaquín Correa, Lucas Alario and Sergio Aguero
International head-to-head
Argentina wins: 20
Draws: 8
Colombia wins: 6
Colombia hindered by goalscoring frailties
Underwhelming performances from Atlanta duo Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata could lead to a reliance on Miguel Borja to grab the goals against the Argentines as they look to win their first Copa America title since 2001.
Colombia squad:
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Aldair Quintana
Defenders: Stefan Medina, Oscar Murillo, Carlos Cuesta, William Tesillo, Yerry Mina, Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi
Midfielders: Wílmar Barrios, Gustavo Cuellar, Edwin Cardona, Juan Cuadrado, Mateus Uribe, Yairo Moreno, Leandro Campaz, Sebastian Perez, Baldomero Perlaza
Forwards: Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel, Luis Diaz, Rafael Santos Boree, Miguel Borja, Alfredo Morelos, Yimmi Chara
Goalscorer bets
Messi has been the standout player of the Copa America so far, with four goals and four assists, including some breathtaking free-kick efforts.
Argentina's magisterial magician is 9/1 to deliver from a free-kick once again.