For the second time in a matter of weeks, Argentina and Paraguay will collide in the 2015 Copa America Tournament on Tuesday. This time however, the winner will punch their ticket to the final where they await a carnal Chile team who is chomping at the bit to win their first ever championship.
The two countries first match resulted in a 2-2 draw as both teams opened up group play against each other. After two early goals by Argentina, La Albiceleste collapsed in the second half relinquishing two late goals to Paraguay who rallied for the result.
Despite the draw, Argentina was clearly the dominant team in that match and the heavy favorite to win hoist the cup. Argentina controlled possession and simply lost focus with a big lead late in the game. You can be sure that won't happen again on Tuesday.
Argentina has not lost thus far in the tournament and with strikers like Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, they have the most lethal offense in all of South America. Javier Mascherano controls the midfield and his running mate Javier Pastore, may be the best player in the tournament so far for Argentina.
Paraguay on the other hand, is a surprise in the semifinal as they continue to defy the odds in this year's tournament. After their draw against Argentina, they tied defending champions Uruguay and defeated a strong Brazil team in the quarterfinals on penalties.
Striker Nelson Valdez has been on a tear of late and believes his team will not allow Argentina to dominate possession so easily as they did in the first match.
"We don't want to make the same mistake as we did in the first half against Argentina, and go back and forth without touching the ball," Valdez said. "We are getting people to respect us again. We are among the top four in South America and we want more."
Paraguay is no pushover either. The country lost to Uruguay in the final four years ago and lifted the trophy in 1953 and again in 1979. Argentina has not looked as sharp as they did in the 2014 World Cup and could prove beatable if Paraguay can keep them out of the net.
Colombia finished normal time against them deadlocked in a scoreless draw before they got unlucky and lost in penalties. Keep Messi, Aguero and Mascherano off the scoreboard, and Paraguay may complete a huge upset.
Prediction: 3-1 Argentina
Betting Favorite: Argentina -1
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
The 2015 Copa America semifinal match will kick on Tuesday, June 30th at 7:30PM EST from the Esadio Municipal de Concepción in Chile. It will air live on beIN Sports network and can be live streamed here and here.
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