NEW YORK, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Here are five talking points from the Copa America in the United States following the completion of the quarterfinal stage:
BRAZIL'S WOES DEEPEN
Brazil had hoped that the Copa America would provide a turning point after a wretched start to South America's 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Instead, the crisis enveloping the five-time World Cup winners has only worsened.
While the defense was solid in this tournament - conceding just two goals from open play in four matches - Brazil looked disjointed in midfield and bereft of ideas in attack as injured talisman Neymar watched from the stands.
Apart from a 4-1 win over a hopelessly out-of-sorts Paraguay, Dorival Junior's men scored just once in their other three matches.
Dorival's future will surely come under scrutiny amid signs that he has lost the dressing room. The discord was plain to see when Brazil's players left the manager out of the team huddle that preceded Saturday's penalty shootout against Uruguay.
RODRIGUEZ PUSHING COLOMBIA TO NEW HEIGHTS
While his career continues to sputter at club level, Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez only seems to get better when playing for his country.
The 32-year-old, who is looking for a new club after a disappointing 12-month spell at Sao Paulo, has arguably been the player of the tournament with five assists and a goal in Colombia's first four matches.
But Nestor Lorenzo's men are far from a one-man show as they seek the country's second Copa America title.
Richard Rios, Jhon Arias and Jefferson Lerma have formed a formidable midfield unit alongside Rodriguez, while Jhon Cordoba and Luis Diaz have shone in attack.
The Cafeteros have been just as impressive in defense, letting in only two goals so far this tournament, thanks in no small part to the central defensive pairing of Carlos Cuesta and Davinson Sanchez.
URUGUAY READY FOR 'ALL COMERS'
Uruguay look reborn under Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa, who replaced Diego Alonso in May 2023.
The Celeste's outstanding form in South America's World Cup qualifiers carried onto this tournament as Bielsa's men disposed of Panama, Bolivia, the United States and Brazil.
Bielsa, whose extensive managerial career has included spells in charge of the Argentina and Chile national teams, told reporters the Celeste were "prepared for any opponent" after Saturday's quarterfinal victory over Brazil.
Next on Uruguay's radar is Colombia followed by a possible showdown against Argentina in the final.
Nobody that has followed this tournament would rule out the possibility of Uruguay lifting the continental trophy for the first time since 2011.
LAUTARO'S TIME TO SHINE
Argentina barely broke into a sweat in the group stage, defeating Canada, Chile and Peru without conceding a goal. But Lionel Scaloni's men didn't have it so easy in their quarterfinal against Ecuador, eventually prevailing in a penalty shootout.
While captain Lionel Messi has been below his best - struggling with the flu early in the competition and then suffering an adductor problem that forced him out of the Albiceleste's final group match against Peru - another forward has stepped up.
With four goals so far, Lautaro Martinez is the tournament's outright leading scorer as he enjoys one of his most productive periods with the national team.
The 26-year-old Inter Milan striker has been rewarded for his prolific form with starting places in Argentina's past two matches, relegating Manchester City's Julian Alvarez to the bench.
CANADA'S GOLDEN RUN
Playing in the Copa America for the first time, Canada were given little chance of progressing beyond the group stage before the tournament began.
But Jesse Marsch's men not only reached the first knockout round, they also progressed to the last four by beating Venezuela on penalties in the quarterfinals.
Canada faces a daunting task to advance to the final, with a semifinal clash against reigning world champions Argentina at New Jersey's MetLife stadium on Tuesday.
But while they will enter the match as firm underdogs, Les Rouges have shown that anything is possible with self-belief and a touch of good fortune.
The teams also met in the group stage, when the North American side troubled Messi and company before second-half goal from Alvarez and Martinez gave the Albiceleste a labored 2-0 victory. ■
