In an intense semifinal clash at Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night, Colombia managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, booking their spot in the Copa America final against Argentina. The match, played before a boisterous, predominantly Colombian crowd, saw Jefferson Lerma score the lone goal in the 39th minute, even as Colombia played the entire second half with just ten men.
The victory propels Colombia to their first Copa America final since their historic win in 2001. This significant milestone was achieved despite a major setback when Daniel Munoz was ejected in first-half stoppage time for his second yellow card. Munoz had received his first yellow card for a reckless slide tackle on Maximiliano Araujo and was subsequently shown a second for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the stomach.
Colombia’s defense held firm under pressure, extending their unbeaten streak to a record 28 games, the longest current streak in men’s football. Colombian fans, donning yellow jerseys and waving flags, created an electrifying atmosphere that seemed to fuel their team’s determination.
Lerma’s goal came from a well-placed corner kick by James Rodriguez, who has been instrumental throughout the tournament with his playmaking skills. Rodriguez’s corner was expertly headed in by Lerma, outjumping Uruguay’s Jose Maria Gimenez to score his third international goal and second of the tournament. Rodriguez now boasts six assists in the Copa America, three times more than any other player.
The match, officiated by Mexican referee Cesar Ramos, was marked by its physicality and contentious moments, resulting in seven yellow cards and one red. Tempers flared at the final whistle, with players from both teams engaging in a scuffle on the field and some even clashing with fans in the stands.
Despite playing with a man down, Colombia managed to limit Uruguay’s scoring opportunities. Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas made his first crucial save in the 68th minute, stopping a shot from Nicolas de la Cruz. Luis Suarez, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer, entered the match as a substitute in the 66th minute and nearly equalized with a shot that struck the outside of the post in the 71st minute.
Colombia had opportunities to extend their lead, most notably when Mateus Uribe, a second-half substitute, missed an open shot wide in the 88th minute. Uribe had another chance in stoppage time, but his shot ricocheted off the body of Uruguay’s goalkeeper Sergio Rochet and then hit the crossbar.
The semifinal was played in sweltering heat on a surface that had been converted from artificial turf to grass in preparation for the tournament. The challenging conditions added another layer of difficulty for both teams, making Colombia’s disciplined performance even more impressive.
Argentina, the defending champions, and Colombia will face off on Sunday night at Miami Gardens, Florida, with Argentina seeking a record 16th Copa America title. They also aim to join Spain as the only nation to win three consecutive major titles. Colombia will be looking to replicate their 2001 success and cement their place in South American football history.
