Colombia vs. Peru Copa America 2015: Schedule, Predictions, Results, Preview, Stream
Colombia and Peru will face off in a match with major implications in the Copa America 2015.
Both teams have three points in this game and the winner moves on to the next round. Since Venezuela and Brazil, the other two group participants, also have three points, there is no telling which side finishes atop the group.
The winner of this game can win the group if the other match ends in a draw. Of course if there is a win in the other game, then it will come down to goal differential; heading into the final round, every single team has conceded the same number of goals that it has scored.
However there is one wrinkle in all of this. If both games end in draws, Peru goes through alongside Brazil while Colombia finishes fourth in the group.
Since Peru and Brazil both scored two goals through two games, they would own the third tie breaker. That puts Colombia and Venezuela in a tie for third with just one goal apiece. However, since Venezuela topped Colombia in their matchup, then Venezuela would own that tie breaker and eliminate Colombia.
So a tie is not an option for James Rodriguez and company. They hold an advantage over Peru, showcasing higher end talent and being a better team overall.
However, the Peruvians have looked confident in this tournament, stretching Brazil to the limits and then seeing off Venezuela. They will not sit back and let Colombia piece them apart without putting a fight.
This could result in a wide open match that could be dangerous for Colombia; the Cafeteros defense has been suspect throughout two games with mental errors leading to great scoring chances. Juan Camilo Zuniga has been far from great thus far, though the unit did show greater poise against Brazil in the second half, limiting the Selecao to pointless crosses into the box.
All-time record: Colombia has won 21 games, tied 19 and lost 18 against Peru all-time. The team did win the last two qualifiers against Peru by a combined score of 3-0 and has only lost one game in its last 10 games dating back to 2001.
Prediction: Colombia wins 2-0.
Start Time: 3 p.m. EST on Sunday.
All games can be streamed on beIN Sports with a subscription.
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