Chile - Peru Preview: Jara ban dents hosts' morale

Two of South American football's biggest rivals face off for a spot in the Copa America final against either Argentina or Paraguay

Chile face fierce rivals Peru in Santiago on Monday for a place in the Copa America final with Gonzalo Jara ruled out of the tournament due to a three-game ban.

The tournament hosts beat holders Uruguay 1-0 in a quarter-final marred by a controversial incident surrounding defender Jara and Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani.

Jara appeared to prod the Paris Saint-Germain forward in the backside with a finger in the 63rd minute, with Cavani sent off for his reaction as he raised his hand to the face of the Mainz man.

Mauricio Isla's 81st-minute strike proved decisive for Chile before Jorge Fucile was also sent off for Uruguay. 

Conmebol subsequently suspended Jara - who is also alleged to have wound Cavani up with insults about his father, who was recently arrested for drink driving - for three matches.

Ahead of the ban confirmation, Chile's reserve goalkeeper Paulo Garces said: "It will be a shame for all of us if Gonzalo is suspended because he is a fundamental player for us.

"But we have 23 players and 23 are prepared for these circumstances. Hopefully whoever has to play can do so in the same way as Gonzalo has done."

Two-time champions Peru should go into the clash with a great deal of confidence having dispatched Bolivia 3-1 in the quarter-finals thanks to a hat-trick from Paolo Guerrero.

And Ricardo Gareca's team, whose progress has been the surprise of the tournament, will not be lacking motivation for one of the most important games of a long-standing rivalry.

The two nations share a border and games between the pair are known as the 'Clasico del Pacifico'.

Chile prevented Peru from qualifying for the 1974 World Cup before Peru returned the favour in the qualifiers for the 1978 competition.

Last year's friendly, won 3-0 by Chile, saw Peru finish with 10 men as Rinaldo Cruzado was sent off after 39 minutes.

Chile defender Jose Pedro Fuenzalida is hopeful the semi-final will be played in better spirits.

"The match between Chile and Peru holds a very important rivalry throughout history and last year we played a friendly which was quite hard, with plenty of aggression on their side," Fuenzalida said. 

"That's created the expectation that these games have to go beyond the rules of football. We hope that Monday's game is only remembered for what happens on the pitch."

Chile vs Peru: Copa America 2015, Schedule, Predictions, Rosters, Stream & Preview

What a tournament this has been so far. We began with 12 national teams, and eight qualified for the knockout stage playoff. As of now, just five squads remain. Those teams are Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Peru and Argentina.

Chile and Peru will square off in the semifinals on Monday.

Let's break down the teams and predict who will win.

Chile (19)

What an opportunity Chile has here. Chile has had so many great soccer moments over the decades, but they have never been able to capture a Copa America championship. Chile is 0-4 in Copa America finals. Their last finals appearance coming in 1987 when they lost to Uruguay, 1-0.

Chile got revenge last week against their rivals, defeating Uruguay, 1-0. Defender Mauricio Isla, who plays for Juventus, scored the only goal of the match. Previous to that, Chile won Group A over Mexico, Bolivia and Ecuador. Chile has scored 11 goals and allowed just three in their four games thus far.

All three of Chile's goals that have been allowed were against Mexico in a 3-3- draw.

Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has been simply amazing in net just as he was for Barcelona this season. Chile is the host nation this year, and they are under immense pressure to get the job done. Arturo Vidal leads Chile with three goals creating a very powerful middle field alongside Jean Beausejour and Jorge Valdivia. Alexis Sánchez and Eduardo Vargas lead the offense, but they need to up the scoring output.

One could argue that Chile is the most balanced team remaining. They have an elite goalkeeper, a great defense led by Gonzalo Jara, an exceptional middle field, and a good offense. Many soccer experts are predicting a Chile vs. Argentina finals.

Peru (61)

Every Copa America has its Cinderella team, and this year it could be Peru. Peru is the second highest ranked team remaining in the tournament after they easily eliminated No. 89 Bolivia. Paraguay, who is ranked No. 85, is the highest ranked squad left. Peru defeated Bolivia 3-1 thanks to a hat trick from Paolo Guerrero.

While many will discount Peru's chances and think they will lose this game, they do have one big advantage over Chile. They are more battle tested from group stage play. Peru survived the "group of death" against Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela placing second.

Peru's biggest issue so far has been offense. They scored just two goals in the three group stage games, and their best forward and team captain Claudio Pizarro has just one goal so far. This is goalkeeper Pedro Gallese's first Copa America, but he has played very well. He will get the start in net against Chile.

Peru hasn't won the Copa America since 1975, when they defeated Colombia in the finals. If Peru can win this game, that means they will advance to the championship and face either Brazil, Argentina or Paraguay in the finals.

Schedule, Where to Watch

Chile and Peru will play each other on Monday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m. EST. That's 8:30 Chile time. The game will be shown on beIN sports and will be played at the Estadio Nacional Arena in Santiago, Chile. You can watch a live game stream here.

Prediction

Peru has been a great story, and they've been more battle tested, but this is Chile's time. Chile and Argentina are on a collision course for the finals. Chile's elite defense won't give Peru many chances, and Bravo will shut them down. Chile advances to the finals.

Chile wins 2-0