Messi surrounded by Brazil players in Copa America semi-final combined XI
And then there were four. There were three penalty shoot-outs across the four Copa America quarter-finals but now only Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru are left standing. Ahead of the last four match-ups, we run through the best WhoScored rated semi-final XI.
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Brazil) – 6.99 rating
Brazil are yet to concede a goal at this summer’s Copa America, with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson keeping a clean sheet in all five of their matches. The 26-year-old has remarkably only been forced into five saves in that time and has misplaced just one of 65 passes – boasting the best pass success rate at the tournament (98.5%).
Left-back: Filipe Luis (Brazil) – 7.38 rating
Tite selected Filipe Luis as his first-choice left-back this summer ahead of Alex Sandro and Marcelo – with the latter unable to even make Brazil’s squad. Luis has both completed more tackles (12) and registered more key passes (seven) than any defender at the tournament, while impressively completing 92.2% of his attempted passes.
Centre-back: Guillermo Maripan (Chile) – 7.19 rating
Guillermo Maripan has played an invaluable role in Chile’s run to the last four of the Copa America, as his country chase a historic third straight triumph in the tournament. The 25-year-old has won 62.1% of his aerial duels this summer, while also averaging 4.8 clearances per game and 1.8 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game.
Centre-back: Marquinhos (Brazil) – 7.27 rating
Marquinhos is currently the highest WhoScored rated centre-back at the 2019 Copa America and he has been a pillar of consistency in Brazil’s back four. As already mentioned, Brazil’s defence have allowed just five shots on target at this summer’s tournament and Marquinhos' understanding with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Thiago Silva has been key to that. The 25-year-old has also oozed composure on the ball, averaging the second most passes per game (80) and completing 94.4% of his passes.
Right-back: Dani Alves (Brazil) – 7.75 rating
Dani Alves replaced Neymar as Brazil captain earlier in the summer and he has not let his country down with his performances, garnering a higher WhoScored rating than any defender at the 2019 Copa America and fourth overall at the tournament. Alves has one assist in four matches and has completed more dribbles than any other defender at the tournament (nine). The 36-year-old also averages 2.3 tackles per game.
Central midfield: Casemiro (Brazil) – 7.59 rating
Brazil, like they are in several positions, are well stocked in the middle of the park but Casemiro is picked ahead of Fernandinho and Allan to anchor Brazil’s midfield. The Real Madrid midfielder missed their quarter-final win through suspension but was key to their group stage progress. He scored in a 5-0 win over Peru and ranks third for interceptions at the tournament (11).
Central midfield: Erick Pulgar (Chile) – 7.86 rating
Erick Pulgar has been a revelation for Chile this summer and his performance may yet transpire into a high profile move away from Serie A side Bologna. The 25-year-old defensive midfielder is the third highest WhoScored rated player at the 2019 Copa America and has one goal in four appearances. Moreover, only one player has won possession in the middle third more times than Pulgar (25), while the Chile midfielder ranks top for tackles and interceptions combined (27).
Left wing: Alexis Sanchez (Chile) – 7.90 rating
Manchester United fans will no doubt by looking on with envy as Alexis Sanchez has rediscovered his best form for Chile after two years of poor performances for the Premier League giants. Representing his national team always seems to inspire Sanchez and that has proved no different this summer. Sanchez is the second highest WhoScored rated player at the 2019 Copa America after playing a direct hand in three goals (two goals, one assist) in four appearances. The 30-year-old has been fouled more times than any other player in the competition (17)
Attacking midfield: Philippe Coutinho (Brazil) – 8.14 rating
Like Sanchez, Philippe Coutinho is also proving his critics wrong this summer. The Barcelona outcast is the highest WhoScored rated player at the 2019 Copa America and has also played a direct hand in three goals in four matches (two goals, one assist). The 27-year-old ranks second for both most shots (16) and most key passes (13) at the tournament, while also ranking in the top-10 for dribbles (nine)
Right wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 7.18 rating
Lionel Messi is still trying to rediscover his best form for Argentina but La Albiceleste are on the brink of their third straight Copa America final, though favourites Brazil stand in their way. Messi has only scored once in four appearances at this summer’s tournament but is the highest WhoScored rated player eligible to play on the right wing from the four semi-finalists. Furthermore, only one player is averaging more dribbles per game than Messi (3.3) at the 2019 Copa America.
Striker: Roberto Firmino (Brazil) – 7.40 rating
Many expected Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus to lead the line for Brazil, as he did for the 2014 World Cup, but Tite has gone with Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino instead, with the former adapting to a wide position. Firmino has responded with one goal and two assists in four appearances, while earning the WhoScored Man of the Match in Brazil’s 5-0 thrashing of Peru.
