Chile emerges as favorites in Copa América
Chile demonstrated their potential in Group A at the Copa América; Jorge Sampaoli's side displayed a style of play full of intensity and options. With Arturo Vidal's brush with the law now forgotten, La Roja have emerged as the favorites to lift the trophy on their home turf. In the quarter-finals they will play the battling Uruguay side of Oscar Tabárez. Bolivia were the surprise package in Group A, starting off with a draw against Mexico and then causing a minor upset against Ecuador. However, they were thrashed 5-0 by Chile in the final group match. In the last eight Bolivia will be up against it when they face Peru, another surprise success story at the Copa, but then Bolivia have already achieved what they set out to.
Mexico's disappointing performance
Mexico's so-called B Team did not really turn up at the tournament; Miguel Herrera's side were lacking in all areas of the pitch and only the fighting spirit of Vicente Vuoso kept them within touching distance. Ecuador, meanwhile, have been one of the tournament's disappointments. Gustavo Quinteros' side paid for their lack of concentration and clamorous defensive errors, although it is fair to point out that they had some serious injury woes in that department.
Argentina's dominance in Group B
A stop-start Argentina dominated Group B. Gerardo Martino's side occasionally showed their firepower – when their star players click they are capable of wonderful football – however the Albiceleste sleepwalked through large periods of their matches. In the quarters they will meet Colombia in the most mouth-watering of the ties.
Efficient Uruguay and resilient Paraguay
Uruguay showed little in the way of football and plenty of efficiency. Tabárez's side once again drew on their famous competitive DNA and tactics on the base of a solid defense was enough to see them through. In the last eight they will have to get past the host nation. Paraguay went through in some style, playing some decent football and showing a good head for adaptation. Brazil, sans Neymar, will be their dancing partner in the quarters.
Jamaica's valiant effort
Jamaica went out of the tournament among selfies and a desire to show that they can play football, and they achieved that. None of the sides in Group B had it easy against the Reggae Boyz, and no side scored more than once against them. However, Jamaica's lack of teeth up front cost the side as they went out with a record of played three, lost three, scored 0, conceded 3.
Peru's success in Group C
Peru were up to the task in the group stage in the hotly contested Group C, being the first team to secure their place in the last eight. Ricardo Gareca has created a team that, although still in need of defensive solidity, fights in every match until the final whistle. On that basis, they went toe-to-toe with the supposed heavyweights of Brazil and Colombia and finished second in the group.
Colombia's disappointing performance
Colombia were disappointing in the first round. Their play was flat, and they needed Brazil to do them a favor against Venezuela in the last round of fixtures. James Rodríguez has been erratic and the forwards anonymous, leaving players like Carlos "The Rock" Sánchez and Jeison Murillo to shine. In the quarters, they will need to be at their best against Argentina, although they did beat Brazil in the group stage.
Brazil's up and down performance
The Canarinho have been through a complicated group stage, during which Neymar's ban has marked the passage of an up and down Brazil side. The bright spots for Dunga have been the improvement of Willian and the rediscovery of Robinho and Firmino. In the quarters, they face a complicated Paraguay side.