Porto Alegre (Brazil), July 2 (IANS): Defending champions Chile are focused on securing a slice of history as they prepare for Wednesday's Copa America semifinal against Peru, midfielder Arturo Vidal has said.
"We want to go down in history as three-time champions," Vidal told reporters on Monday ahead of Wednesday's match at Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre. "It's what we're dreaming of. We want to play our best game of this Copa America against Peru."
Chile will become the second team in the competition's 103-year history to clinch three straight titles if they are crowned champions at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 7, Xinhua news agency reported.
But to do so, the Roja must first overcome a Peru outfit that has exceeded expectations in Brazil.
Argentina achieved a hat-trick of Copa America titles from 1945 to 1947, when the competition was held annually.
Chile won their maiden Copa America as hosts in 2015 before defending their title a year later at the centenary edition in the US.
Managed by Colombian Reinaldo Rueda, the Roja advanced to the semifinals here by overcoming Colombia on penalties in Sao Paulo last Friday.
Vidal said his team would afford great respect to Peru, who clinched a semifinal berth with a penalty shootout win over Uruguay on Saturday.
"We will need a perfect match, with great quality because Peru is a very united team, similar to Colombia," the Barcelona player said. "It will be a very interesting match."
Argentina boss puts faith in Aguero against Brazil
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will start for Argentina in their Copa America semifinal against Brazil despite his faltering recent form, Albiceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni has said.
Aguero has scored just once in four matches in this tournament, prompting doubts about whether he would hold his place in the Albiceleste attack alongside Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez at the Mineirao stadium on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.
"Given all of the rumours, I want to confirm that Sergio Aguero will start the match," Scaloni told a news conference on Monday.
"I don't know why people say that he is always going to be left out. I'm confirming that tomorrow he will play."
Scaloni declined to reveal the rest of his lineup, joking that even five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi could not be confirmed.
Argentina have gradually improved since starting the tournament with a 0-2 defeat to Colombia in Salvador. The two-time world champions subsequently drew 1-1 with Paraguay before recording 2-0 victories over both Qatar and Venezuela.
Brazil began with a 3-0 win over Bolivia and then drew 0-0 with Venezuela before beating Peru 5-0 in their last group match. The hosts advanced to the last four by beating Paraguay on penalties last Thursday.
Scaloni said there was more pressure on Brazil to win on Tuesday. "It's important for the two teams, but maybe for Brazil a little more because they're playing at home and there is an expectation to perform in front of their own fans.
"I can't say for sure whether or not that will put pressure on them. (But) they are the Copa America favourites and everybody wants to try to beat them."
