South America has provided football with its greatest icons but also suffered terrible tragedy; Chapecoense, Flamengo and the murder of Andres Escobar for scoring a World Cup own goal.

Despite knowing he can play no part in a potential trophy-winning tournament, the Paris Saint-Germain ace was all smiles as he reunited with players and staff at their base in Sao Paulo.

An impressive double from striker Darwin Machis helped Venezuela book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bolivia on Saturday.

Brazil cruised into the Copa America knock-out stages by dismantling Peru at the Arena Corinthians. Casemiro, Roberto Firmino, Everton, Dani Alves and Willian were all on target.

Argentina must beat Qatar in Porto Alegre on Sunday night and hope Paraguay fail to beat Colombia if they are to avoid a humiliating group-stage exit at the Copa America.

Colombia enjoyed victory over Paraguay despite fielding a second-string side to make it a clean sweep of wins in their Copa America group stage campaign

After picking up just one point from their opening two games, Argentina needed to win to progress and they managed to do so courtesy of goals from Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero.

The South American side clinched second place in Group B after a 2-0 victory against Qatar, thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Sergio Aguero. 'Now starts another Copa,' Messi said.

Lionel Messi might be Argentina's - and Barcelona's - all-time record goalscorer, but fans were quick to mock the all-time great after he missed an easy chance for his country in Copa America.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez took his reputation as a fierce competitor to new heights in his side's 1-0 win over Chile in the Copa America by appealing for a handball... by Chile's goalkeeper. 

Lionel Messi (left) and Sergio Aguerro (right) cut relaxed figures as Argentina prepared for their Copa America quarter-final clash with Venezuela.

Argentina booked their place in the Copa America semi-finals on Friday night with a 2-0 win over Venezuela in Rio de Janeiro thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso.

Brazilian star Neymar was ruled out of Copa America just over a week before the opening match after limping out of a friendly against Qatar with the untimely injury.

Brazil star, who left for France for a world-record fee of £198m two years ago, has been linked with a return to La Liga giants. A possible summer move away does not look to be on the cards.

Everton striker Richarlison was left out of Brazil's Copa America quarter-final with Paraguay on Thursday amid concerns the attacker has contracted mumps.

The Everton forward was put in isolation for three days after contracting the contagious viral infection and was holed up in a hotel in Porto Alegre while he recovered.

His performances have caught the attention of the Catalan giants, who are now preparing to pay his £100m release cause to bring him to the Nou Camp, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Stars from Argentina and Brazil have been training in preparation for their crucial Copa America semi-final showdown on Tuesday evening.

TOM SANDERSON IN SAO PAULO: And so they meet again. On this occasion, for a place in the Copa America final. Yet far more than the chance to face either Chile or Peru will be at stake.

The Manchester United forward fired his country into the last four by netting the winning penalty in a shootout against Colombia on Saturday.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Brazilian 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli. The youngster is one of the most promising talents in his homeland and bases his game on Cristiano Ronaldo.  

Chile vs Peru on Wednesday doesn't carry the same sporting rivalry as Brazil vs. Argentina, but it brings together two nations with off-the-field quarrels dating to the 19th Century.

Brazil and arch-rivals Argentina will go head to head for a place in the Copa America final. For live updates from the semi-final, follow the action with Sportsmail's SAM MCEVOY...

TOM SANDERSON AT MINEIRAO STADIUM: Here it was, the one they had all been waiting for. A semi-final showdown between the two biggest rivals in international football. 

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni claimed his side deserved to reach the Copa America final in the wake of their 2-0 defeat by Brazil. Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino sealed victory.

Philippe Coutinho was left red-faced on the big stage this week, after falling for a sumptuous piece of skill during Brazil's Copa America clash with rivals Argentina.

When five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona star Lionel Messi eventually hangs up his boots, he might just have one huge regret lingering in the back of his mind.

After Lionel Messi tasted yet more international heartbreak with Argentina at the Copa America , his scoring record on the big stage has once again come under scrutiny.

He may have won the Champions League last season, but Alisson Becker learned a few crucial lessons along the way. After being beaten by Lionel Messi once, amends have been made.

TOM SANDERSON IN BRAZIL: Naturally, the Argentine press dug its heels in over the hours that followed yet another big stage disappointment. Messi, they feel, can lead new generation to glory.

Argentina and Lionel Messi remain optimistic about their future despite another year without a trophy. There is some hope despite the team's 2-0 loss to Brazil.

Edison Flores, Yoshimar Yotun and Paolo Guerrero all found the back of the net to put an end to Chile's dream of a third consecutive title and set up a final against hosts Brazil in Rio on Sunday.

Chile were knocked out of the Copa America in the semi-finals with a 3-0 defeat by Peru, and Eduardo Vargas' misery was compounded when he missed a late penalty.

The Chelsea star felt pain in his right thigh during the second half of Tuesday's 2-0 semi-final victory against Argentina but stayed on the pitch as his side had used all three substitutes.

Gary Medel has come out in defence of Lionel Messi after both players were sent off for a confrontation in the Copa America third place playoff. The were dismissed for a clash in the first half.

Gabriel Jesus raged after being sent off in the Copa America final win over Peru and burst into tears on the steps of the Maracana. 

Everton forward Richarlison sent 200 million of his fellow countrymen into hysterics through a post-match interview recorded after his Copa America-sealing goal on Sunday evening.

TOM SANDERSON AT THE MARACANA: In front of 70,000 revellers at the Maracana, Brazil prolonged their record of having won the Copa America each time they have hosted.

Edu is closing in on the technical director job at Arsenal after Brazil appointed Juninho to replace him as their general coordinator.

Dani Alves moved his trophy tally into the forties on Sunday night when he lifted the Copa America in front of a rocking Maracana crowd.

Premier League stars Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho joined their team-mates to celebrate Brazil's Copa America success on Wednesday. 

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign emerging Japanese talent Hiroki Abe from Kashima Antlers, the J-League club said on Friday.

According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte , Arsenal's new technical director Edu has held talks with Everton's agent Gilmar Veloz to assess whether a move to the Emirates is feasible.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held talks with Fred over the last few weeks, and assured him he is part of Manchester United's first-team plans, according to The Sun. 

Fresh from their Copa America success, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho have been kicking back in style while making the most of well-earned time off.

The 23-year-old played an integral role in Brazil's Copa America success this summer and has attracted interest from several clubs, including Everton.

Suarez was put through a rigorous sandpit routine on his own as he attended his first session back at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training base on Friday.

Lionel Messi will not feature for Argentina again this year after receiving a three-month suspension and a £41,000 fine following his controversial comments about Copa America.

Napoli have started negotiations with Gremio for Brazil's Copa America hero Everton. Carlo Ancleotti's side have been looking to reinforce their attack all summer but have been unsuccessful.

Jesus scored Brazil's second goal in a 3-1 victory over Peru at the Maracana last month but erupted in anger after being sent off for a second bookable offence.