Tuesday is the biggest day of the summer tournament season, with three semifinal matches across three tournaments.
For American soccer fans, of course the biggest match of the day pits two of the most storied teams in the world, and features one of the two best players on the planet: Lionel Messi.
You thought we meant the United States-England game, right? We will get to that.
Firstly, though, we must speak about the Copa America semifinal between host team Brazil and Argentina. Much has been made of the fact that Messi has failed to win a trophy with his national team, after hoisting so many with Barcelona. But this might be his best shot. Brazil is without Neymar, and was the lone team of eight to score a goal in the quarterfinals.
The Selecao are heavily favored, I think because they are at home, but this Argentinian side may have been awakened after a loss in their opening match. With Chile probably waiting in the final for the third straight edition, Messi may get a chance to finally break the curse. Brazil has a slight advantage over the last eight matches between the two, at 4-3-1, but they have usually alternated close wins. Brazil won last time 1-0, so could this be Argentina's time?
Everyone knows the USA is the best team at the Women's World Cup; just ask its players. The Americans already have the English hotel scouted for the final. They think the cup is won.
Maybe it is. At some point, these things come back to bite many teams, but this team may just be that much better than the rest of the field.
At the Gold Cup, Haiti has surprised everyone to get to the semifinal. But the run ends here, as Mexico gears up to meet a lackluster U.S. squad in the final.
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AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS
Guinea-Bissau (+1000) vs. Ghana (-275), draw (+320), 12 p.m. EDT (beIN Sports and Fubo.tv)
The Pick:
Ghana to score 2+ goals (-130)
Mauritania (+650) vs. Tunisia (-188), draw (+275), 3 pm. EDT (beIN Sports and Fubo.tv)
The Pick:
Tunisia -0.75 Asian handicap (-150)
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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL
England (+350) vs. United States (-110), draw (+250), 3 p.m. EDT (FOX, Telemundo, NBCSN, and Fubo.tv)
The Picks:
Over 1 goal first half Asian handicap (+105)
United States ML (-110)
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COPA AMERICA
Brazil (-118) vs, Argentina (+360), draw (+240), 8:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN+, Telemundo, and Fubo.tv)
The Picks:
Argentina to go through (+190)
Over 1 goal first half Asian handicap (+115)
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GOLD CUP
Haiti (+1400) vs. Mexico (-630), draw (+460), 10 p.m. EDT (FS1, Univision, and Fubo.tv)
The Picks:
Mexico -0.75 first half Asian handicap (-105)
Mexico -1.75 Asian handicap (+100)
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