While Brazil have been crowded by controversy, Colombia too along with Chile and Uruguay, Argentina have been the wise old man of the Copa America 2015, quietly going about his business.

Simply playing the game has been the Argentina style this tournament, with Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero surgically cutting through sides.

Hold on, that second bit isn't true. That same wise old man may have been quiet but much like Colombia, Brazil and Peru it has been a nervy, rocky path to the quarter-finals.

GROUP STAGES

Argentina

Gerardo Martino's side came in with high hopes, having narrowly lost out to Germany in the 2014 World Cup Final. Mario Gotze's extra time goal sent an electric Lionel Messi home, about to start one of his best footballing years.

That drove him onwards to prove that he wasn't on the wane and look where he is now. At an incredible stage after an incredible six months, even for him.

Coming as one of many favourites, Argentina looked in shock having drawn 2-2 to Paraguay in the opening group stage game. 

That was followed by a classier game against Uruguay where Sergio Aguero's quality shone through to send them top of the group.

Jamaica was a bigger challenge than expected as Gonzalo HIguain's earlier opener was the only goal of a game, in what was expected to be a thrashing.

Argentina topped Group B, it looks easy now but it wasn't so for Martino and Messi's men.

Colombia

It was atrocious for Colombia. 

Even in the one win of Group C for Los Cafeteros, as Brazil were overcome by Jose Pekerman's side for the first time in years, they looked a shadow of the attacking, beautiful team they were at the World Cup last year.

6-0 wins in pre-tournament friendlies had sold them lies, coming up against teams like Bahrain. So, as one of the favourites, alongside Argentina, they too were given a shock in their first match as a clinical, counter attacking, resolute, defensive Venezuela snatched a 1-0 in off them.

With the absence of Abel Aguilar and Fredy Guarin, Colombia couldn't connect attack with midfield.

That continued against Brazil, with Neymar and Carlos Bacca sent off after the final whistle, Colombia had grabbed their only three points of the tournament thanks to a goal from Jeison Murillo.

A 0-0 draw in the final game against Peru should have seen them knocked out but due to the rule about best third placed finisher, Colombia progressed.

SQUADS

Argentina

Goalkeepers

Sergio Romero (Sampdoria) - Nahuel Guzmán (Tigres) - Mariano Andújar (Napoli).

Defenders

Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City) - Facundo Roncaglia (Genoa) - Ezequiel Garay (Zenit) - Martín Demichelis (Manchester City) - Nicolás Otamendi (Valencia) - Marcos Rojo (Manchester United) - Milton Casco (Newell’s).

Midfielders

Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) - Lucas Biglia (Lazio) - Éver Banega (Sevilla) - Roberto Pereyra (Juventus) - Fernando Gago (Boca) - Ángel Di María (Manchester United) - Erik Lamela (Tottenham) - Javier Pastore (PSG).

Forwards

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) - Carlos Tevez (Juventus) - Ezequiel Lavezzi (PSG) - Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli).

Colombia

Goalkeepers

Cristian Bonilla (Equidad) - David Ospina (Arsenal) - Camilo Vargas (Atlético Nacional)

Defenders

Darwin Andrade (Standard Liege) - Santiago Arias (PSV) - Pablo Armero (Flamengo) - Pedro Franco (Besiktas) - Jeison Murillo (Granada) - Carlos Valdes (Nacional) - Cristian Zapata (Milan) - Camilo Zuniga (Napoli)

Midfielders

Edwin Cardona (Monterrey) - Juan Cuadrado (Chelsea) - Alexander Mejia (Monterrey)-  James Rodríguez (Real Madrid) - Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa) - Edwin Valencia (Santos)

Forwards

Carlos Bacca (Sevilla) - Radamel Falcao (Monaco) - Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate) - Victor Ibarbo (Roma) - Jackson Martinez (Soon to be AC Milan, currently  Porto) - Luis Muriel (Sampdoria)

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About the author
Harry Robinson
Deputy Editor-in-Chief at VAVEL UK, and Manchester United Editor.