Image source, Getty Images
- author, Adam Millington
- role, BBC Sports Reporter
-
The Copa America is in the quarter-finals, with most of the favourites still in the mix, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay, all of whom are looking for a way through the knockout stages.
However, it hasn't been smooth sailing for all teams, with the hosts, the United States, losing.
An unexpected team has also made it into the quarterfinals and is poised to cause further upsets.
As the quarter-finals loom, BBC Sport brings you the top stories to watch from the Americas' biggest tournament.
Copa America quarterfinal match schedule
Friday (02:00 BST): Argentina vs Ecuador
Saturday (02:00): Venezuela vs Canada
Saturday (23:00): Colombia vs Panama
Sunday (02:00): Uruguay vs Brazil
Bielsa inspires Nunez
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez played a key role in helping Uruguay reach the last eight by earning a maximum of nine points in the group stage.
He played in all three matches, scoring in a 3-1 win over Panama and a 5-0 victory over Bolivia.
Uruguay face tough opposition in Brazil but are technically strong under former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa and have well-formed Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
Uruguay beat the USA and was eliminated in the group stage. Can they beat one of the favorites in their next match?
Will Messi shine?
Argentina star Lionel Messi could have played in what could have been his final major tournament appearance but struggled in an injury-plagued group stage.
The 36-year-old helped the team to victories against Canada and Chile but was forced to miss the match against Peru with a groin problem.
Messi failed to score in the group stage of the Copa America for the first time, but did provide an assist as Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in their opening match.
However, Messi is back in training and the World Cup winners remain strong favourites to reach the final.
Lionel Scaloni's side are expected to win the match against Ecuador, who they beat 1-0 in a friendly in June.
The big question remains: can Messi finally find his form?
Can Brazil compete without Vinicius Junior?
It has been a frustrating tournament for Brazil and the suspension of Vinicius Junior for the quarter-finals will not help them.
The five-time World Cup winners drew with Colombia in their final group game, with Vinicius missing the first knockout match after receiving a second yellow card.
Vinicius is Brazil's top scorer in the Copa America with two goals, while his Real team-mate Rodrigo has struggled in front of goal.
This Brazil team is strong and may have players who can cover for Vinicius' absence, but they will need to be used, with Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli remaining on the bench.
Brazil needs to rise to the challenge or risk losing to a fully-fledged Uruguay.
Canada shows strength
This will be the first regularly scheduled tournament in which a team from outside South America will take part, and Canada's first appearance in the Copa America.
Six of the 16 teams are from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF).
Canada, led by former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, will host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico and achieve something neighbouring America has never managed – reach the knockout stages.
Lille striker Jonathan David has been one of Canada's biggest scoring threats, but the team has struggled to score in the group stage. David scored in a 1-0 win over Peru, but Canada lost 2-0 to Argentina and drew 0-0 with Chile.
Will there be another upset for Panama?
Panama was the surprise team of the Copa America, exceeding expectations in the group stage.
The team beat the United States and Bolivia to finish second in their group, setting up a tough quarter-final match against Colombia.
It may be too much to ask the underdogs to go one step further: Colombia, who topped their group and drew with Brazil, include Liverpool's Luis Diaz and former Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez in their squad.
Crystal Palace's Jefferson Lerma has also played a key role in the midfield, they are a talented team and on paper they should dominate Panama.
Colombia is expected to win the tournament, but it will not be easy for a Panama team that defied the doubters to reach the semi-finals.
