The knockout stage of the Copa America was finalized Tuesday after the last two matches in Group A.
Argentina beat Bolivia 4-1 to ensure it finished atop the group, setting up a game against Ecuador in the quarterfinals.
Ecuador is yet to win in the tournament, but held Brazil to a 1-1 draw on Sunday and is in third position in South American World Cup qualifiers.
âWe have the utmost respect for Ecuador, they have proven to be a good, young and dynamic team that will sure give us a war,â Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.
If Lionel Messi s lineup beats Ecuador, coached by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro, its semifinal will be against either Uruguay or Colombia. That head-to-head showdown has produced great encounters recently, including Colombia s 2-0 win in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
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Copa America bracket favours Brazil
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By MAURICIO SAVARESEJune 28, 2021 GMT
Brazil s coach Tite, left, gives instructions to his player Vinicius Junior during a Copa America soccer match against Ecuador at Olimpico stadium in Goiania, Brazil, Sunday, June 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Brazil s coach Tite, left, gives instructions to his player Vinicius Junior during a Copa America soccer match against Ecuador at Olimpico stadium in Goiania, Brazil, Sunday, June 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil coach Tite had an emotional exchange with his Ecuador counterpart Gustavo Alfaro after the teams drew 1-1 on Sunday and started looking into the knockout stage of Copa America.
TV footage showed Alfaro praising his counterpart’s ethics and adding that Tite deserves the World Cup title.