The dust has settled on the quarterfinals of the Copa America, and the 1/4 final matchups have been released:
Upper District:
Argentina vs. Ecuador and Venezuela vs. Canada at 9:00 on July 5.
Lower Half District:
On July 7, Colombia vs. Panama at 6 a.m. Beijing time, and Uruguay vs. Brazil at 9 a.m. Beijing time.
The first quarter-finals will be played at 9 a.m. Beijing time on July 5, against the defending champions Argentina and Ecuador, which will be the second consecutive meeting between the two teams in the quarter-finals. Messi, who did not play in the last round of the group stage, has participated in the team's joint training and will start if nothing else.
In the group stage, Argentina showed the quality of a strong team, winning all three games, conceding zero goals, and topping the group, which is the third time they have achieved such a result in an international competition. Ecuador, on the other hand, had a thrilling road to qualify, with one win, one draw and one loss in the group stage and Mexico accumulating 4 points, beating their opponents on goal difference and qualifying as the second in the group.
In the historical meetings between the two teams, Argentina has an absolute advantage, in the past meetings, the two sides have met 16 times in the Copa America, Argentina has won 11 and drawn 5, and has not tasted defeat.
In the quarterfinals of the last Copa America, Argentina defeated Ecuador 3-0, and Messi contributed a free kick and two assists. Argentina has a clear advantage in this rematch, but the knockout stage of the Copa America is different from other international competitions, there is no extra time in the knockout round, and if the two sides draw in regular time (except for the final), a penalty shootout will follow. So Argentina must win the game in 90 minutes, once the opponent drags into the penalty shootout, it is difficult to say, because there are too many uncertainties in the penalty kick!
As a core player of Argentina, Messi has played 36 games in the Copa America, contributing 13 goals and 18 assists, and every time he appears, he may break many records in the Copa America. The Argentine team with Messi is facing Ecuador and is sure to enter the semifinals! So, can they defend this European Championship?!