Only four teams are left in the Copa America and whichever side lifts the trophy next weekend, one thing is guaranteed - the winning coach will be an Argentine.
With Brazil's shock exit in the quarter-finals on Saturday, the semi-final lineup is complete. Hosts Chile will face Peru in Santiago on Monday before favourites Argentina take on Paraguay in the southern Chilean city of Concepcion on Tuesday. All four teams have Argentine coaches.
Chile are led by Jorge Sampaoli, Peru by Ricardo Gareca, Argentina by Gerardo Martino and Paraguay by Ramon Diaz.
"It's a source of great happiness for the whole country that we not only have top-class players but also top-class coaches," Diaz said after his side disposed of Brazil in a penalty shootout on Saturday.
The four coaches? First, pictured below is Jorge Sampaoli...
Below: Peru boss Ricardo Gareca....
Below: Argentina national team coach Gerardo Martino...
Below: Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz.
The last four
Buoyed by a home crowd, Chile will be favourites to beat Peru but are still waiting to hear if their centre back Gonzalo Jara will be cleared to play.
He is at the centre of the now infamous incident after television images showed him sticking his finger up an opponent's backside during Chile's quarter-final victory over Uruguay.
Argentina looked good in their last match against Colombia but once again struggled to find the net, despite having attacking talents Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria in their starting lineup.
In the end it was their reserve striker, Carlos Tevez, who eased them into the last four with the decisive penalty in a shootout. Their opponents Paraguay are perhaps the most unlikely of the semi-finalists, although they have already faced the three most successful sides in South American football history,Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, and come through unbeaten.
Tuesday's match will be a repeat of their group clash against Argentina, when they battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw.
Thirteen players go into the semis on yellow cards and if they are booked would miss the final. They include Messi, his Argentine team mate Javier Mascherano and Chile's influential playmaker Jorge Valdivia.
-
Latest Stories
-
We’ll share Ghana’s resources equitably – Mahama
12 minutes -
NDC’s Chief Biney hit with sad news
12 minutes -
Don’t let power change you – Archbishop Duncan-Williams tells NDC
21 minutes -
Andre Ayew sores again, but Le Havre falls to RC Lens
28 minutes -
GFA names Kassim Ocansey as new Black Meteors Head Coach
36 minutes -
Michael Baidoo makes Plymouth Argyle debut in FA Cup win over Brentford
44 minutes -
Akufo-Addo appointees to boards, corporations, commissions, and councils lose jobs
1 hour -
Today’s front pages: Monday, January 13, 2025
1 hour -
Samson’s Take: Punish the criminal ‘vigilante’ takeovers
1 hour -
Kwasi Siaw: Pioneering African talent management with HC Talent
1 hour -
Damongo: NDC youth allegedly shuts down community mechanised borehole
3 hours -
Mahama vows to uncap NHIS levy in upcoming budget
3 hours -
‘God is telling you to lead through difficult times’, says Rev. Wengam to Mahama
3 hours -
Appiah-Kubi calls on Mahama to review 60-Minister pledge if governance requires
3 hours -
Aklerh makes a ‘Mash Up’ move
3 hours