By Tim Vickery

Argentina have had plenty of goals to celebrate

The first Copa America quater-final to be defined could hardly be more attractive. Hosts Peru will meet Argentina on Saturday in Chiclayo.

Bucking the trend of the counter-attack, both sides are much more concerned with scoring goals than stopping them - hence the fact that Peru managed seven goals in the group phase, while Argentina scored 10.

Even so, Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa still has cause for concern. Can his side turn possession into penetration when it really matters?

They could not against Mexico, and it took them almost the entire half to break down the 10 men of Uruguay.

Bielsa is still searching for an attacking blend. Despite the hat-trick against Ecuador, the experiment with Saviola lasted just two games.

After one ineffective match against Mexico he was back on the bench, and Bielsa had returned to his beloved figure of the tall target man.

Perhaps the truth behind Argentina's attacking problems is they miss Juan Sebastian Veron. Their high-tempo pass-and-move game can be exhilirating to watch.

QUARTER-FINALS - All times BST Peru v Argentina 2300, Saturday Colombia v Costa Rica 0145, Sunday Paraguay v Uruguay 2100, Sunday Brazil v Mexico 0230, Monday

But they would surely be more effective if they had a long pass specialist to help give their play some more variety.

Nevertheless, if Peru defend as they did in the group games then Argentina should have few attacking difficulties on Saturday.

Peru's defensive line was breached with alarming frequency, and a large part of the problem is in midfield.

Peru have been defending high up the pitch, offering plenty of space behind them - which the opposition have been able to find because they are not closed down by Peru's defensive midfielders.

Peru have only played Juan Jayo as a midfield marker. Now at the veteran stage, he has not been able to stop the passes being played behind his back four.

Going into Saturday's game Peru have a striker crisis, with Jefferson Farfan suspended and Claudio Pizarro out for the tournament. He has only Andres Mendoza and Flavio Maestri left.

It could prove to be a blessing in disguise. It means Autori will not be able to play three strikers - a temptation he has been unable to resist so far, but one that has left his defence horribly exposed.

Autori may well conclude that he would do better to stiffen his midfield with the inclusion of Ciuirlizza, and then look for playmaker Palacios to hit long for Mendoza, a striker who is frustratingly inconsistent, but can prove lethal on his day.

Whatever happens, in this Copa America enlivened by so many superb goals there should be plenty more to celebrate on Saturday.