Lincoln financial field will play host to Copa America Centenario hopefuls Chile and Panama Tuesday night at 8 PM EST. Both teams have 3 points from their first 2 games in group D, with both teams beating Bolivia by one goal, and both teams losing to favorites Argentina. Chile dropped the first game by a scoreline of 2-1 while Panama lost 5-0 in the second group week. Because the tie-breaker for this tournament is goal differential, Chile will have the upper hand, having a 0 goal difference while Panama is at -4. Chile need only a tie to move on, while Panama need a win for a berth in the knockout stage. Don’t expect Chile to just sit in and defend, however. The reigning Copa America champions will take the game to Panama and try to find their form before the group stage formally ends.

For the Panamanians counter attack should be the game plan. Chile has shown in their first two games that they are susceptible to sending too many men forward, and leaving just center-backs Gary Medel and Gonzalo Jara back in defense. Should Panama find space on the counter Chile could be in dire straits.

At 5’10 and 5’7 between Jara and Medel, respectively, a big forward should be able to cause problems in the box for the Chileans. Just because a forward has a size advantage doesn’t mean things will be easy however. Both Medel and Jara are vicious defenders, the former having the nickname “The Pitbull”, and the latter having been banned from last years Copa America for “inappropriate handling” of Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani.

For Chile to find success they will need production out of star men Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal. The Munich midfielder notched both goals against Bolivia, but was wasteful apart from his goal contribution. Meanwhile Sanchez is easily frustrated and can often appear to try to take on a defense alone. Because of a lack of height in the Chilean team, crossing will be a difficult endeavor, especially in Panama attempts to defend and then counter. We should expect a close game, and possibly one that is decided by the referee or a single players moment of brilliance.