sport news Things to look out for as the Copa America hits knockout stages 

After a slow start, Copa America 2019 in Brazil has finally heated up after a pulsating round of final group-stage matches.

As we advance to the knockout phases, it’s do-or-die time for eight hopefuls aiming to be South American kings.

Here, Sportsmail has broken down the main things for you to look out for during the quarter-finals.

Crowds have woken up...and are coming out in force

Low attendances and a lack of enthusiasm from locals have been the main criticisms hurled at the Copa America thus far.

On Saturday, however, a 42,000 near-capacity crowd roared Brazil on to a 5-0 win over Peru in Sao Paulo while, on Monday, a record 57,000 punters turned up in the Maracana to watch Chile take on Uruguay.

The travelling hordes from neighbouring countries have begun setting up bases in Brazilian cities to get behind their countrymen, and expect their fanatic passion unique to this part of the world to spill from the streets and into the stadiums as the business end of the 2019 Copa America approaches. 

Chile's clash with Colombia is already sold out, and the host's match against Paraguay is heading the same way.

Fans from across South America have began descending on Brazil for the final stages

Fans from across South America have began descending on Brazil for the final stages 

Straight to penalties 

In a format familiar to Copa Libertadores fans, any quarter final match tied after 90 minutes will go directly to penalties.

Extra time will be reintroduced in the semi-finals and final, but for Chile the prospect of an early shoot-out holds no fear. 

Denying Lionel Messi’s Argentina the crown from the spot on consecutive occasions in 2015 and 2016, the reigning champions will face England’s Russia 2018 shoot-out victims Colombia at the Arena Corinthians.

Quarter-finals will go to penalties if there is a draw after 90 minutes - bad news for Argentina

Quarter-finals will go to penalties if there is a draw after 90 minutes - bad news for Argentina

Defences will be hard to break down

While Argentina and Peru’s back lines have left a lot to be desired at times, their main rivals in Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay boast some of world football’s greatest centre back pairings and have racked up clean sheets with ease.

These teams able to count on Thiago Silva & Marquinhos, Yerry Mina & Davinson Sanchez and Diego Godin & Jose Gimenez respectively,

 Even other outfits such as Venezuela especially have put on tight defensive displays. Goals may be tough to come by. 

Strong defensive partnerships - like that of Silva and Marquinhos - will stop high-scoring ties

Strong defensive partnerships - like that of Silva and Marquinhos - will stop high-scoring ties

VAR will leave its mark

Just as it is proving at the Women’s World Cups this year, VAR has been particularly problematic at the Copa America.

In addition to Brazil being denied a breakthrough goal three times via the system against Venezuela, there have also been dubious, game-changing penalties awarded — as with that seen in Edinson Cavani’s favour against Japan.

Excruciatingly long waits for decisions are another factor, and across the 18 games thus far, there have already been 17 interventions and 15 decisions reversed. 

In circumstances where the stakes are so high, VAR is destined to come into focus during the

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