After two games at the 43rd Copa America left hosts Argentina, holders Brazil and 14-times winners Uruguay winless it seemed the old order of South American football could be facing a challenge to its long supremacy. But try as they might to shake the tree, their rivals have not managed to dislodge them and the trio now have time to regroup having finally made it, albeit belatedly, into the quarter-finals.
Joining them, however, are five teams who are out to prove that the tournament is not a closed shop when it comes to lifting the trophy. Neutrals will be delighted one of the five is Venezuela, reaching this stage for the first time on foreign soil after holding Brazil and coming back from 3-1 down to hold Paraguay.
Brazil now take on the Paraguayans – who came within a minute of beating them in the group. While the Venezuelans revel in their role of gatecrashers, the auriverde, the albiceleste and the charruas – the only sides on the continent to have tasted World Cup glory – will now seek to show the old guard still rule.
Yet positive performances by the likes of Chile, Venezuela’s next opponents, suggest the heavyweights can take nothing for granted. One of the Big Three will definitely not be in the semi-final draw as the Argentinians face the Uruguayans on Saturday at Santa Fe. With Lionel Messi starting to fire on all cylinders the hosts should advance.