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In what's set to be a riveting encounter, two-time defending champions Chile lock horns with Uruguay at the Maracana in a clash of the Titans.
Even though both sides have secured a passage to the quarter-finals, the result in this match will decide who will go through as the Group C winners.
La Roja are currently two points ahead of the Celeste after the latter dropped points to Japan in a tough game. So a draw would be enough for the holders to seal pole position and avoid Colombia in the next round, as only a victory for Luis Suarez and Co. would ensure otherwise.
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Uruguay holds an overwhelmingly good record against Chile in their historic rivalry with 44 wins to only 17, though they are yet to beat the Reds in three meetings in this competition. The previous two ended in a draw and a defeat, while the last competitive duel between the sides also ended in a 3-1 win for Chile.
Suffice to say, the odds are evenly balanced going into the match. As the two title favourites once again battle it out, let's look at the combined XI of the teams:
Goalkeeper: Gabriel Arias (Chile)
Uruguay's Fernando Muslera would normally walk into any team owing to his goalkeeping nous, but the Copa America hasn't got off for him as he would have liked. With merely two saves in as many games, the Galatasaray shot-stopper also committed an error against Japan that allowed the guests to bag their second goal. So in comparison, Arias has been better.
Having usurped Chile's veteran skipper Claudio Bravo, Arias has taken to his side's goalkeeping mantle with aplomb. He's made four saves so far and is yet to concede a goal from open play. His aerial prowess has also prevented any catastrophe from dead-ball situations. La Celeste though would be a litmus test of his mettle.
Right-back: Mauricio Isla (Chile)
An integral part of La Roja's consecutive triumphs in 2015 and 2016, Isla has only got better with age. In the current edition too, he already has an assist to his name off three key passes whilst also maintaining an average of 80% pass accuracy.
The 31-year old hasn't let his attacking instincts undermine his defensive responsibilities, blocking down the channels as well as making eight tackles so far. He also has fond memories of his last duel with the Uruguayans, having struck the winner in their 2015's quarter-final clash.
Centre-back: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
Atletico Madrid's departing skipper remains an indispensable figure at the heart of Uruguay's backline. Never to shy away from jumping into a tackle, he's won a staggering nine aerial duels so far - a testament to Godin's formidable aerial abilities, whilst also charging out of his line to get the ball ahead. He even registered an assist in the 4-0 drubbing of Ecuador in the opener.
Centre-back: Jose Gimenez (Uruguay)
Uruguay's man of the match in the hard-fought stalemate against Japan, Gimenez is the mortar to Godin's brick. With five aerial duels won alongside four tackles and clearances each, the Rojiblancos defender put on a defending masterclass to prevent the Samurais from causing further damage. Heck, he even netted the equaliser in the second half to salvage a point for the Blues. Alexis Sanchez and co. will have a massive fish to fry here.
Left-back: Jean Beausejour (Chile)
Thirty-five years of age and still going strong, Beausejour more than makes up for his lack of attacking instincts with sublime defensive performances. He currently averages two tackles per game in the competition and is also an excellent distributor of the ball. His experience would be worth its weight in gold against a potent Uruguay side.
Central midfielder: Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay)
Having announced his arrival at the international shores, Bentancur is now thriving in his maiden Copa America participation. He put on a fine display against Ecuador in the opener but upped his game against a challenging Japanese side. With six tackles and seven interceptions, he proved to be an unflinching protective cover to the back four whilst also dominating on the ball aerially.
Central midfielder: Erik Pulgar (Chile)
A fringe player during Chile's successful title defence in 2016, Pulgar has firmly established himself in the side. And with two highly compelling performances in this edition so far, he looks to have made the holding midfield position his own. He was on target against Japan, but it's the defensive aspect of his game that has truly stood out: eight defensive aerial duels and tackles each won to provide great security to the backline.
Right winger: Charles Aranguiz (Chile)
Whilst the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas have hogged all the limelight, Aranguiz has been the orchestrator-in-chief, providing three assists across the two games - the highest in the competition so far.
His lightning fast speed coupled with the ability to pick out passes have made Aranguiz highly deleterious down that right flank, who's also laid a staggering 11 key passes. The Bayer Leverkusen man's creativity will play a key role in Chile's fortunes in this important clash and beyond.
Left winger: Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Contrast to his appalling season with Manchester United, Sanchez has fired at all cylinders with Chile in Copa America, so much so that it might have tickled the Red Devils faithful pink.
With a goal apiece against Japan and Ecuador, not to mention an assist as well in that barnstorming opener, he appears to be a player reborn. He's currently the highest rated player from the competition on WhoScored.com with 8.64, as his rich vein of form holds La Roja in good stead.
Striker: Luis Suarez (Uruguay)
Unlike his erratic form at Barcelona, Suarez has looked sharp and utterly menacing with La Celeste in the competition: no player has attempted more shots at goal than the Pistolero's 17, two of which even ended in the back of the net.
After an underwhelming World Cup campaign last year, the 31-year old is showing he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level with his national team, as his interventions will be imperative if the Blues were to taste their first win over Chile in the Copa America in three attempts.
Striker: Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
Chile's Eduardo Vargas has, of course, scored a goal more than his Uruguayan counterpart, but misses out on a spot here due to a relatively sombre performance in the narrow win over Ecuador.
In comparison, Cavani has been consistently good, even scoring an outrageous overhead kick against the Amarillo. And even though he fired a blank in the unlikely stalemate to Japan, he tested the former Asian champions to the hilt with eight shots, even hitting one against the crossbar. His partnership with Suarez will be the key in the undoing of the Reds.
