MATCH 17 PREVIEW : LAST CHANCE FOR CHILE AND COSTA RICA

Chileans and Costs Ricans meet this Wednesday afternoon, in Tacna, (south of Peru) for the first match of the last round in Group C, trying to win to keep alive their chances of advancing to the quarterfinals of the Copa América. The match starts at 5:30 local time, at the Modelo Stadium, remodeled for the tournament also to host one of the quarterfinal matches.

Neither team has won yet: Chile lost to Brazil and drew level with Paraguay, whilst Costa Rica were beaten twice. Nevertheless, both sides can still qualify. Chile can even end up in second place if they win by a big goal difference and Paraguay lose to Brazil in the following match. In this case, they will face Mexico, in Piura. Costa Rica can finish as 2nd Best 3rd at the most and would take on Colombia, in the quarterfinals, in Trujillo.

If the match ends in a 1-all draw, both teams take an early exit, and Bolivia will face Colombia. In case they tie at 2 apiece, the drawing of lots between Bolivia and Chile will define who will advance - since they would have the exact same campaigns.

Chile can almost feel they´re playing at home. The city of Tacna, 1,300km south of Lima, lies on the border with the country. Thousands of Chileans have taken the city by storm since the beginning of the week to support their national side.

Chile take to the pitch with a totally revamped team in relation to the team who drew level with Paraguay. Keeper Varas, who played against Brazil but was sidelined in the previous match, is back. In midfield, Mirosevic and Melendez will be replaced by Rodrigo Millar and Luis Jimenez. In attack, Hector Mansilla takes Patricio Galaz´s place.

Costa Rica will also be different to the side that was hammered by Brazil. Right-back Bennett will be substituted by Castro. In attack, Alvaro Saborio will be replaced by seasoned Ronaldo Gomez.

Chile: Fabián Varas - Ismael Fuentes, Luis Fuentes, Rafael Olarra, Rodrigo Pérez; Clarence Acuña, Rodrigo Valenzuela, Rodrigo Millar, Luís Jimenez - Sebastián González and Héctor Mansilla. Coach: Juvenal Olmos.

Costa Rica: Ricardo González - Alexander Castro, Luis Marín, Mauricio Wright, Leonardo González - Cristian Badilla, Douglas Sequeira, Walter Centeno, Steven Bryce - Alonso Soliz and Ronald Gómez. Coach: Jorge Luís Pinto.

Venue: Estádio Modelo, em Tacna (PER)

Referee: René Ortubé (BOL)

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