Just weeks ago, Argentina and Canada clashed in the Copa Am\u00e9rica curtain raiser at Mercedes-Benz Stadium; now, 875 miles north, the stakes have been significantly raised, with these same duo going head-to-head in East Rutherford for a place in the final itself.<\/p>\n
Having heavily rotated for the dead-rubber final group game against Peru, giving all previously under-utilised squad members some minutes, Lionel Scaloni recalled all of his big guns for last Thursday’s quarter-final clash with Ecuador.<\/p>\n
Having scored in all three group games, the first player to achieve this at a Copa since 2001<\/a>, Lautaro Mart\u00ednez was given the nod to lead the line, only to be hooked after little over an hour in Texas, replaced by Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, so could the Manchester City striker return to the team here?<\/p>\n Read More<\/strong>: Copa America Semifinal Predictions Including Colombia Vs Uruguay<\/a><\/p>\n The surprise development during the tournament has been the increase in Nicol\u00e1s Gonz\u00e1lez’s importance, an unused substitute on opening night, he’s now started against both Chile and Ecuador, providing width and balance from the left side, meaning \u00c1ngel Di Mar\u00eda misses out.<\/p>\n Read More<\/strong>: Euro 2024 Semifinal Predictions Including England vs. the Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n At the back, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Mart\u00ednez are now the first-choice centre-back duo, with Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi the man to miss out.<\/p>\n Having won all three group games without conceding, most forecast that la Albiceleste would swat Ecuador aside in their quarter-final clash on Thursday, this especially the case when Mart\u00ednez headed his team in front on the cusp of halftime in Houston.<\/p>\n However, Scaloni\u2019s side never looked like adding a second and paid the price, with la Tri equalising deep into injury time, thereby forcing a penalty shootout in the Lone Star State.<\/p>\n Lionel Messi stepped up first and, to the shock of everyone in attendance, attempted a Panenka that caressed the crossbar and bounced over.<\/p>\n Luckily, Emi Mart\u00ednez saved both of Ecuador\u2019s first two attempts, with Argentina perfect from there on out, with Otamendi converting the decisive spot-kick in Houston.<\/p>\nArgentina Recent Form and Tactics<\/span><\/h3>\n