Match Preview: Copa America - Colombia VS Panama

Copa America - Colombia VS Panama
Match Time: 07-07-2024 06:00 Sunday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Match Overview:
Colombia will face Panama in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Copa America at State Farm Stadium in Arizona this Saturday. The winner of this match will move on to face either Uruguay or Brazil in the semi-finals.

Colombia's Journey:
Group Stage Performance:
Top of Group D with 7 points.
Wins against Paraguay and Costa Rica (aggregate score 5-1).
Drew with Brazil (1-1), maintaining their lead.

Manager:
Nestor Lorenzo has an impressive record (17 wins and 6 draws in 23 matches since July 2022).

FIFA Ranking:
12th in the world.

Historical Context:
Reached semi-finals in two of the last three tournaments.
Last two matches against Panama: won by an aggregate score of 7-0, including a 3-0 win in June 2019.

Panama's Journey:
Group Stage Performance:
Qualified for knockout rounds for the first time in history, finishing second in Group C with 6 points.
Lost to Uruguay (3-1) but defeated USA (2-1) and Bolivia (3-1).

Manager:
Thomas Christiansen, former Leeds United boss, has significantly improved the team, propelling them up 38 places in FIFA rankings to 43rd since 2020.

Historical Context:
First appearance in knockout rounds, with their most recent victory over Colombia dating back to July 2005 in the Gold Cup.

Team News:
Colombia:
Jefferson Lerma suspended, Mateus Uribe potentially starting in midfield.
Jhon Lucumi is doubtful; Davinson Sanchez and Carlos Cuesta likely to continue in central defense.

Panama:
Adalberto Carrasquilla suspended; Jovani Welch expected to start in midfield.
Roderick Miller vying for a place in the starting lineup.

Projected Lineups:
Colombia:
Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Uribe, Arias; Rodriguez, Cordoba, Diaz
Panama:
Mosquera; Murillo, Farina, Cordoba, Harvey, Davies; Blackman, Martinez, Welch, Barcenas; Fajardo

Match Prediction: Colombia to win