Preview, predictions as Copa America semifinals kick off with Argentina vs. Canada rematch

After all the drama, dubious refereeing and penalty kicks, Copa America is down to the final four. Defending champion Argentina, surprise semifinalist Canada, surging Colombia and traditional power Uruguay battle it out over the next two days for a chance to play in the championship game Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Argentina plays Canada on Tuesday in the first semifinal at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (8 p.m. FS1, Univision), and Colombia faces Uruguay in the second on Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina (8 p.m., FS1, Univision).

The winners will meet Sunday for the trophy. Argentina and Uruguay are tied with a record 15 Copa America titles, and both are hungry to get No. 16. Both squads are especially motivated because this is surely the final Copa America for 37-year-old Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain, and Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan legend.

Meanwhile, Colombian star James Rodriguez (known simply as James, pronounced Ha-mess) has been the catalyst for Los Cafeteros, who are unbeaten in the past 27 games. And Canada, under new American coach Jesse Marsch, is the lone team left from the CONCACAF region, outlasting the United States, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica and Jamaica.

Which two teams will emerge as finalists? We will know soon enough. One thing is certain, tickets for the final will be pricey.

As of Monday afternoon, the cheapest tickets listed on TicketMaster for the final were in the $1,000 range for 300-level end zone seats, and the cheapest on the secondary markets VividSeats and StubHub were in the $860 range.

The next few games are expected to attract massive TV audiences, based on ratings so far.

The Argentina vs. Ecuador quarterfinal on July 4 drew 1.87 million viewers on English language FOX, the most-watched non-U.S. quarterfinal in tournament history. The top two markets were New Orleans and Miami.

Meanwhile, TelevisaUnivision had record viewership across its networks and platforms during the group stage, delivering the top five most-watched programs on Spanish-language television this year. The Argentina vs. Ecuador match on July 4th averaged 2.7 million total viewers, outperforming the competition by 48 percent among 18-to 49-year-olds.

The Brazil vs Colombia match delivered 2.5 million viewers on Univision and the United States vs. Uruguay game averaged 2.03 million viewers.

Here is a preview of the semifinals and predictions of which teams will advance:

ARGENTINA vs. CANADA (Tuesday, 8 p.m., FS1, Univision)

Who would have imagined when Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in the tournament opener in Atlanta on a makeshift field that drew harsh criticism from the Argentine coach that the teams would meet again in the semifinals at another NFL stadium outfitted with grass over artificial turf?

It is hardly a surprise that Argentina reached the semis. Messi and his teammates won the Copa America in 2021, won the World Cup in 2022 and have had a near-flawless record since. Argentina is riding a nine-game win streak across all competitions and has outscored opponents 18-3 during that stretch.

They won all three of their group games by a combined score of 5-0 and advanced to the semis with a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw with Ecuador.

Messi has yet to score and sat out the game against Peru with a groin injury. Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has been the top scorer with four goals in four matches, including both goals in the 2-0 win against Peru. The other hero has been goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who plays for Aston Villa in England and made two huge saves in the penalty shootout against Ecuador after Messi missed his attempt.

Argentina’s roster is stacked with players from Premier League clubs Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, but the team has not been as dominant as expected.

Canada, competing in the event for the first time, has 14 MLS players on its roster and proving it can keep up with some of the best in the world. The team has made huge strides in a couple of months under Marsch after finishing sixth last year at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada advanced to the semis with a 4-3 edge in penalty kicks over Venezuela after a 1-1 draw in regulation.

The Canadians have played stingy defense throughout the tournament, led by Portland Timbers goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, but are underdogs and will probably need more goals to get past Argentina. Jacob Shaffelburg of Nashville SC and Jonathan David of French club Lille scored the two goals for Canada.

▪ Prediction: Argentina 2, Canada 0.

COLOMBIA vs. URUGUAY (Wednesday, 8 p.m., FS1, Univision)

Colombia and Uruguay are both contenders to win the title, and this should be an entertaining, close game.

Of the four semifinalists, Colombia is the only one that did not require a penalty shootout to earn its spot. Los Cafeteros outclassed Panama 5-0 to reach its third semifinal in the past four Copas and celebrated with their trademark dances as a sea of yellow in the stands joined the party.

James Rodriguez, 32, has regained the form that made him one of the world’s most-celebrated players at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and landed him a huge contract with Real Madrid. He created two goals and scored on a penalty kick against Ecuador and his passing has been exquisite throughout the event.

Other key players include Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and striker Jhon Cordoba.

“The most important thing is still to come. We hope to reach the final,” said Rodriguez, who has one goal and five assists through four games.

Colombia, which has not lost since 2022, will face Uruguay, which beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties in Saturday’s other quarterfinal. Uruguay finished atop its group with three wins, outscoring opponents 9-1.

Uruguay has been one of South America’s strongest teams under Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, beating Brazil and Argentina last fall, but the team will be without injured Ronald Araujo and Nahitan Nandez, who is suspended with a red card. The 10-man Uruguayan team managed to force Brazil to penalties in the quarters, which is not easy to do.

Players to watch include PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte and Federico Valverde of Real Madrid. Goalkeeper Sergio Rochet has been solid, as well.

▪ Prediction: Colombia 2, Uruguay 1.