Copa America betting tips: Brazil favourites but Messi gives Argentina hope

Following a shaky start in a 1-1 draw with Chile, La Albiceleste have looked better as the tournament has progressed.

Lionel Scaloni’s men quickly bounced back with respective 1-0 wins over Uruguay and Paraguay, before thrashing Bolivia 4-1 to top their group, with Lionel Messi netting twice.

Messi was again in supreme form against Ecuador, scoring with a sublime free-kick and setting up both Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez for second-half goals.

Should they justify favouritism and overcome Colombia in Tuesday’s semi-final, they will be one step away from a 15th Copa America title and their first since 1993.

Colombia

Colombia’s sole Copa America title came 20 years ago and they are 10/1 third favourites to win the competition this time.

Quarter-finalists in 2019, Colombia have been somewhat fortunate to get to the semi-final stage, having finished third in their group.

Having lost to Brazil and Peru, they had goalkeeper David Ospina to thank after he saved two penalties in a quarter-final shootout to overcome Uruguay following a goalless draw, but they will face an uphill battle to reach only their second Copa America final.

Peru

Peru won two of their four group games, beating both Colombia and Venezuela, but have already lost 4-0 to Brazil and are outsiders at 14/1 to hoist the Copa America trophy.

Twice winners of the competition, they bid to avenge their 2019 defeat to the Selecao in the second semi-final on Tuesday night, but must do so without top scorer Andre Carillo, who is suspended.

He was dismissed in the 3-3 quarter-final draw with Paraguay, which saw Peru eventually go through 4-3 on penalties.

La Blanquirroja will hope their usually solid defence can thwart Brazil’s many attacking options, as they bid to reach the final of the oldest international football tournament for only the third time, but they are heavy outsiders to do so.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication