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Argentina will play Colombia in the semi-final of the Copa America 2021 on July 7. The winner of the clash will take on Brazil in the summit clash.
Argentina have been one of the best teams at the Copa America 2021, with Lionel Messi leading the way. The Barcelona superstar has been the best player in the tournament, and every one of the Albiceleste's opponents have found it difficult to stop him so far. He was crucial once again as Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
Colombia, on the other hand, beat Uruguay on penalties to secure their place in the semi-final. They are without talismanic attacker James Rodriguez, who was controversially not included in his nation's Copa America 2021 squad.
Here, we look at the 5 key battles between Argentina and Colombia which could define this game.
#5 Daniel Munoz (Chile) vs Papu Gomez (Argentina)
It will be intriguing to see who plays on the left-wing for Argentina in the semi-final of Copa America 2021. Nicolas Gonzalez, Angel di Maria and Papu Gomez have all operated there across the tournament so far.
Gomez's inclusion looks the most likely, however. The Sevilla man scored the sole goal of the game against Paraguay in the group stage and followed it up by opening the goalscoring against Bolivia. Gomez is a wily operator who is capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, and is renowned for his creativity and passing.
Daniel Munoz started at right-back for Colombia against Uruguay in the Copa America 2021 quarter-finals, and has been their first-choice right-back at the tournament so far. Munoz, who plays his club football for Belgian side Genk, will arguably face his toughest task at the Copa America 2021 so far when he comes up against Argentina.
Also Read: Euro 2020: 5 young players who could become household names after the tournament
#4 Duvan Zapata (Colombia) vs Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina)
Duvan Zapata has been one of the best forwards in Serie A in recent seasons, and has thrived under the leadership of Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta.
The striker made 29 Serie A starts last season, scoring 15 goals and providing nine assists. Physically gifted and a strong finisher, Zapata created all sorts of problems for opposition defenders last season. However, the 30-year old has been subdued so far at the Copa America 2021.
Nicolas Otamendi, on the other hand, is one of Argentina's most experienced players. The 33-year old is an aggressive centre-back who often causes some nervous moments due to his erratic style of defending, but could potentially start in the Copa America 2021 semi-final. Otamendi will have to be at his very best in order to stop the likes of Zapata and Luis Muriel.
#3 Wilmar Barrios (Colombia) vs Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina)
Rodrigo De Paul's club future will soon be resolved, with the midfielder closing in on a move to Atletico Madrid.
The 27-year old scored his first-ever international goal against Ecuador in the Copa America 2021 quarter-finals and will be brimming with confidence. De Paul was Udinese's star player last season, with his creativity and dribbling from midfield often proving to be the difference for the Italian outfit.
He will come up against a quality defensive midfielder in Wilmar Barrios. The Zenit Saint Petersburg man has been in the Copa America 2021 first XI for his nation, and will be tasked with shielding the defence. Barrios is well known for his tackling and could prove to be crucial in the center of the park.
#2 Yerry Mina (Colombia) vs Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)
Yerry Mina's club career makes for an interesting read. The centre-back initially spent time in Brazil with Palmeiras before joining Barcelona in 2018. Six months later, Mina moved to Everton in a big-money transfer.
The 26-year-old has done fairly well at Everton and has been a consistent starter for Colombia at the Copa America 2021. Mina will most likely face Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who has endured a mixed Copa America 2021 tournament so far.
Martinez, regarded as one of the best young forwards in world football, is competing with Barcelona's Sergio Aguero for the no. 9 spot. The Inter Milan striker is an extremely gifted footballer who enjoyed a good 2020/21 club season. He will have to be at his very best against a Colombian defence which consists of Mina and Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez.
#1 William Tesillo (Colombia) vs Lionel Messi (Argentina)
One of the greatest footballers to have graced the beautiful game, Lionel Messi is enjoying a sensational Copa America 2021 campaign.
The Barcelona star has four goals and four assists in the tournament so far, and has once again been at his brilliant best. Messi seems incredibly focussed on winning a trophy with Argentina, and the Copa America 2021 offers a good chance for him to finally do so.
Messi is likely to come up against William Tesillo, an experienced campaigner. The 31-year old currently plays for Mexican side Leon, and has 19 caps for the Colombian national team. Tesillo has been the preferred left-back for Colombia at the Copa America 2021, but Lionel Messi brings with him a different level of ability altogether. The Colombian defence could be in for a long night if Messi continues his incredible form.
Also Read: Argentina vs Colombia prediction, preview, team news and more | Copa America 2021 semifinal
