Argentina will be looking to maintain their impressive knockout-stage record at the Copa America when they take on Venezuela in Friday's quarter-final at the Maracana.
La Albiceleste stuttered throughout the group phase, but they did what was required to advance through and now have a favourable last-eight tie against a side they tend to perform well against in this competition.
Venezuela
© Reuters
After playing out contrasting goalless draws against Peru and Brazil in their first two matches, Venezuela saw off Bolivia 3-1 in their final round-robin fixture to finish second in Group A.
Darwin Machis gave La Vinotinto an early lead in their must-win match, finding the back of the net inside two minutes to settle the nerves, and the Udinese-owned striker scored a second shortly after half time.
Mediocre Bolivia, who crashed out as the only pointless side in the group phase, pulled one back through Leonel Justiniano, only for substitute Josef Martinez to kill off the match soon after.
Rafael Dudamel's side now have a chance to exact some revenge on Argentina, who dumped them out at the same stage three years ago with a 4-1 win in the United States.
This is Venezuela's fourth quarter-final, and only once before have they made it past this point - in 2011 when beating Copa specialists Chile 2-1.
Venezuela have lost just one of their last six matches overall - 3-1 to Mexico in a pre-tournament friendly earlier this month - scoring eight goals and conceding five during that run.
Of the teams to make it this far, La Vinotinto allowed the most opposition shots (46) and attempted the fewest (32). After keeping out Brazil's attacking talents last week, though, Venezuela have the ability to frustrate Argentina.
Recent form in Copa America: DDW
Recent form (all competitions): DLWDDW
Argentina
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The pressure was on Argentina heading into their final Group B match against Qatar, knowing that victory was needed if they were to automatically progress through in second place.
A mix-up at the back gifted Lautaro Martinez an early opener in Porto Alegre and Sergio Aguero added a second late on with a clinical finish, though Qatar had chances to snatch a point.
Colombia took care of business with a 1-0 win over Paraguay in Sunday's other match to seal first place, meanwhile, but Lionel Scaloni was more than happy with second following some disappointing performances.
Argentina lost 2-0 to Colombia in their opening match and then played out a 1-1 draw with Paraguay - a positive point considering they trailed in that game and relied on Franco Armani to save a penalty in the second half.
Now that they are into the knockout rounds, though, La Albiceleste and their array of attacking talents will be confident of putting things right.
They are appearing in the quarter-finals for the 10th time - the only time they did not appear was in 2001, when they did not participate in the competition. Furthermore, Argentina have progressed to the semi-finals four of the last five times.
Beaten finalists in four of the last five tournaments, Scaloni's charges may have just one more chance to lift the continental trophy before Lionel Messi & Co. step aside. The pressure, then, is well and truly on.
Recent form in Copa America: LDW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWLDW
Team News
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Aguero returned up top against Qatar after being left out for the draw with Paraguay and scored the killer second goal for his side, which should see him retain his place.
Juan Foyth was handed a first competitive start at the back last week, but German Pezzella is ready to return and the versatile Tottenham Hotspur defender may be shifted to the right of the back four.
Scaloni has also been tipped to recall Marcos Acuna in place of Rodrigo de Paul as he continues to seek the right balance in midfield.
Messi has had a hand in 10 Argentina goals against Venezuela in all competitions - four goals and six assists - which is his most against any national team (also 10 vs. Paraguay).
As for La Vinotinto, Luis Mago was sent off in the group stage and has failed to win back his place, so Roberto Rosales and Ronald Hernandez should continued to operate at full-back.
Dudamel has gone with five across midfield to make his side tough to break down, with Tomas Rincon and Yangel Herrera operating in the centre of the park.
Further up the pitch, Salomon Rondon has performed well and, along with Martinez and Jhon Murillo, is responsible for six of his side's last seven goals against Argentina in all competitions - all three scoring two apiece.
Venezuela possible starting lineup:
Farinez; Hernandez, Chancellor, Villanueva, Rosales; Savarino, Herrera, Moreno, Rincon, Machis; Rondon
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Armani; Foyth, Pezzella, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Lo Celso, Paredes, Acuna; Messi; Martinez, Aguero
Head To Head
Argentina have beaten Venezuela all five times they have faced them in Copa America, scoring 28 goals and conceding only three.
This will be the second time the sides have faced off in the knockout rounds, having also met in that aforementioned quarter-final tie three years ago.
La Albiceleste average 5.6 goals per game against Venezuela in this competition - the highest average between two teams to have faced each other more than once.
We say: Venezuela 1-2 Argentina
Argentina may boast an incredible record against Venezuela in the Copa America, but they are winless in their last three meetings with La Vinotinto in all competitions. However, the 14-time winners of the competition tend to come to life in the knockouts - up to the final, that is - and they should have enough to win this tie.
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Argentina
Canada
Chile
Peru
Venezuela
Ecuador
Mexico
Jamaica
Uruguay
Panama
USA
Bolivia
Colombia
Brazil
Costa Rica
Paraguay
