Colombia Defeats Uruguay 1-0 to Reach Copa America Final

After an ugly semi-final on Wednesday, ten-man Colombia defeated Uruguay 1-0 to advance to the Copa America final for the first time in twenty-three years. The Colombians won thanks to a header from Jefferson Lerma in the 39th minute. They will now play holders Argentina in the final on Sunday in Miami. Entired with scuffles on the field and fighting in the seats, including some players who had climbed in among supporters amid the flying punches, the semi-final was played in front of an intensely enthusiastic and crowded house.

To the amazement of their enormous fan base, Colombia managed to hold on for a historic triumph despite having Daniel Munoz sent off just before the half and coming under intense pressure from Uruguay.

Hours before kickoff, the downtown streets of the city in North Carolina were crowded with celebratory fans wearing bright yellow Colombia jerseys.

It seemed like a home game in Bogota inside the 74,800-seat Bank of America Stadium, with pockets of Uruguayan fans poking out from the wall of yellow that surrounded the entire arena.

Colombia got off to a good start, which was not surprise given the intense atmosphere. Their dynamic Liverpool winger Luis Diaz worked hard to create space for a cross on the left that found Daniel Munoz at the back post, but the full-back’s header went wide.

Rodrigo Bentancur found Darwin Nunez with a deft ball, and the striker nearly finished one break, but Nunez pushed his shot wide. Uruguay were, as usual, a menace on the counterattack.

Nunez was given another opportunity when Maximiliano Araujo set him up in the inside-right channel, but the striker mishandled and missed the mark. Colombia, on the other hand, forced a mistake that allowed James Rodriguez to curl in a cross from the right, but Jhon Cordoba’s header missed the mark.

Lerma’s Breakthrough

The game changed in the 39th minute when Lerma headed home Rodriguez’s corner with a strong move, rising majestically above Jose Maria Gimenez.

It was Rodriguez’s sixth assist in the competition, surpassing Lionel Messi’s 2021 record for most assists in a single Copa. Rodriguez is a former Real Madrid midfielder. After being sent in by Munoz, Richard Rios forced a save from Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet as Colombia attempted to capitalize on their momentum.

Also Read: Messi’s Record Breaking Goal Sends Argentina to Copa America Final 2024

However, Munoz absolutely lost it just before the interval, receiving a second yellow card for elbowing Manuel Ugarte, after being so effective down the right in the first half. Due to a moment of insanity, Colombia had to play the entire second half with just 10 men to maintain their lead.

Rodriguez, who was already on a yellow card, was substituted out by Colombian coach Nestor Lorenzo in the 62nd minute as Uruguay started to really put their numerical advantage to use.

Before the replacement, Nicolas de la Cruz threatened with a low drive. Federico Valverde did well to set up Luis Suarez for a drive from the edge of the box that brushed the outside of the post.

The Real Madrid midfielder Valverde then came dangerously near with a dipping drive but Colombia’s defense kept riding their luck. Mateus Uribe was given a giveaway by the Uruguayan goalie, and in spite of time and space, he missed the post with his shot.

Nunez found substitute Giorgian de Arrascaeta on the edge of the box during stoppage time, giving Uruguay a wonderful opportunity to force penalties, but de Arrascaeta leaned back and missed the mark.

Uribe still had time to blow another opportunity to seal the victory, this time striking the crossbar in the closing seconds, but the euphoric Colombian fans would pardon his carelessness.

The fact that unpleasant situations occurred in the stands during the celebrations will worry CONMEBOL organizers ahead of a final that is expected to draw a sizable contingent of Colombian and Argentine fans.