The Copa America quarter-finals took place over the weekend, with four nations booking their spots in the semi-finals, which will take place later this week.
The round of fixtures started with a thrilling 3-3 draw between Peru and Paraguay, and Peru would advance as they won the penalty shootout.
Host nation Brazil then confirmed their progression with a narrow 1-0 win in a tough clash against Chile, having played with 10 men for the final 40 minutes.
Colombia were the second team to advance with a victory in a penalty shootout, after a goalless draw with Uruguay in Brasilia.
In the final game of the quarter-finals, Argentina advanced as they thrashed Ecuador 3-0 in Goiania, booking their tie with Colombia in the semi-finals.
Here, Sports Mole selects its Copa America Team of the Week from the quarter-final stage.
DEFENCE
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As has been the case throughout the tournament so far, there were several impressive goalkeeping performances in the quarter-finals, and it is Brazil stopper Ederson who narrowly pips Colombia's David Ospina to this spot, as he made five saves and commanded his box to ensure they remained ahead and kept a clean sheet despite playing with 10 men in the second half as they defended a 1-0 lead over Chile.
On the right-hand side of a back four, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina earns his place after a solid performance in their 3-0 win over Ecuador. While he was not a major attacking threat, La Albiceleste's strong front line means the full-backs can focus on the defensive side of their game, and Molina defended his flank in impressive fashion when called into action, with Ecuador having no success down Argentina's right side.
Next to him, experienced Brazilian defender Thiago Silva takes the first centre-back spot, having marshalled the defence excellently in that solid performance to hold on for a 1-0 win despite pressure from Chile. The Chelsea man has been rotated throughout the tournament, but he more than justified his inclusion for the crucial quarter-final with an eye-catching performance to help the Selecao to a clean sheet and a victory.
He lines up alongside Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina, who was the lynchpin in their back line as they held a dangerous Uruguay side to a goalless draw. Mina made several crucial tackles and clearances to keep the scores level, before helping his side win the penalty shootout by scoring their third spot kick.
The final man in the back four is Mina's compatriot William Tesillo, who was another key part of Colombia's strong defensive performance despite being deployed as a somewhat makeshift left-back to accommodate for the solidity of Mina and Davinson Sanchez at the heart of the back four. Tesillo defended his side strongly, dealing with the threat of the likes of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Giorgian De Arrascaeta as La Tricolor stood strong to take the tie to a penalty shootout, seeing the Colombian full-back pip Argentina's Marcos Acuna to the Team of the Week.
MIDFIELD
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Peru midfielder Yoshimar Yotun again features in the midfield of the Team of the Week after another standout performance for his nation, this time being deployed in a more advanced role. Yotun's effect was never more present in this Peru side, as the defence looked considerably weaker without his protection, while the front line thrived, with the midfielder recording an assist and scoring a goal to put his nation 3-2 up with 10 minutes to go before their opponents drew level, but his impact would not stop there as he went on to score their second penalty in the shootout before Peru went on to win on sudden death.
He is first joined by Uruguay's Matias Vecino, who shone in an underwhelming performance from La Celeste, ensuring Colombia were unable to regularly attack the Uruguay back four, while his own nation's front line failed to produce the crucial goal to see them to victory, as Oscar Tabarez's side would crash out by losing in the penalty shootout. With an abundance of crucial tackles and passes, Vecino's performance was more than deserving of being on the winning side.
Rounding off the midfield three and supporting the front line is Argentinian talent Rodrigo De Paul, who was one of the star men as La Albiceleste put in arguably the most impressive performance of the quarter-finals. The Udinese midfielder got in a good position to get on the end of a Lionel Messi pass into the box and found the net to put them ahead on the stroke of half time, and he continued to impress throughout the game, supporting the front three with a series of excellent runs and through balls.
ATTACK
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Lionel Messi features in the Copa America Team of the Week for the third time this year after again inspiring Argentina to a victory with an excellent attacking performance, first playing a pinpoint ball into the box for De Paul to open the scoring in the 40th minute. La Albiceleste's talisman then set up Lautaro Martinez for the second goal, picking the ball up 20 yards from goal and intelligently squaring it across the edge of the box for his teammate to double the lead, before he scored a stunning free kick from just outside the box to cap off another great day at the office.
Lautaro Martinez also earns a place in the front line having been another key part of a strong attacking performance from Argentina, showing impressive forward play to get into the position to finish off the chance for their second goal after Messi's pass. The Inter Milan forward linked up excellently with the captain throughout the game, helping them dominate Ecuador and see out a convincing win.
While Andre Carrillo put in an impressive performance on the left wing for Peru, his 85th-minute red card, five minutes before the Paraguay equaliser, could have cost his side their place in the final four, and Brazil's Richarlison takes the final attacking spot as a result. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, the Everton attacker was a constant threat in the Selecao's front line, arguably outshining talisman Neymar with a series of eye-catching runs and crosses to cause major problems for Chile's back line.
SPORTS MOLE'S COPA AMERICA TEAM OF THE WEEK
Sports Mole's Copa America team of the week (4-3-3): Ederson; Molina, Silva, Mina, Tesillo; Yotun, De Paul, Vecino; Messi, Martinez, Richarlison
Sam Varley
