Chile have avoided the top teams in Copa America so far, and they’ve been kept away from a team that was thought of as a contender before the tournament for the semifinal as well. Because of tiebreakers, Peru finished above Colombia in their group, and now have a chance to make their first Copa America final since 1975.
Chile vs. Peru, Copa America 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
The hosts are expected to get through, but have yet to truly impress at Copa America.
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Peru were surprise semifinalists in the last Copa America, but before then, had not made the semifinals in the previous four tournaments. This is only their third semifinal appearance in the last 11 editions of Copa America. They’re one of the oldest teams at the tournament, but they’re anchored by a 25-year-old central defender, Carlos Zambrano.
Chile will be without defender Gonzalo Jara, who has been suspended for the remainder of the tournament. In the quarterfinal, he got Edinson Cavani sent off by provoking him in three ways -- talking trash about his dad, sticking a finger up his butt and pretending Cavani hit him. CONMEBOL responded by booting him out of Copa America.
Key player: Alexis Sanchez
Peru might not have much quality in midfield, but their center of defense has been stellar in this tournament. It’ll take something special to beat them, and Sanchez is the man who will have to do that.
Key matchup: Chile's defense vs. Paolo Guerrero
Guerrero is having an excellent tournament for Peru, and Chile will have to deal with him without one of their starting defenders. They were already thin with Jara in the team, and Peru will like their chances of scoring with him out.
Match date/time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada), Premier Sports (U.K.), TVN, Canal 13 (Chile), America Television (Peru), TyC Sports (South America)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. and Canada), Premier Sports (U.K.)
Listings via Live Soccer TV.
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