Colombia will face Argentina in the Copa America 2024 final after securing a 1-0 victory against Uruguay in the semifinal on Thursday’s morning.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half, Jefferson Lerma’s header in the first half proved to be the decisive goal, setting up a final clash with the world champions, Argentina.
Uruguay were handed a numerical advantage when Colombia’s Daniel Munoz was dismissed at the end of the first half, but they failed to capitalise on it.
Darwin Nunez squandered three excellent scoring opportunities early in the match, curling one effort inches wide and failing to hit the target with two other attempts.
Uruguay paid the price for their profligacy when Lerma outjumped the defense at a corner and directed his header past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, with James Rodriguez claiming his sixth assist of the tournament.
Colombia started strongly with their Liverpool winger Luis Diaz doing well to wriggle some space for a cross on the left, finding Daniel Munoz at the back post but the full-back’s header was off target.
Uruguay were, as always, a threat on the counter-attack and their Liverpool star, Darwin Nunez, was close to finishing off one break when Rodrigo Bentancur found him with a clever pass but the forward poked his shot wide.
Nunez had another opening when Maximiliano Araujo played him clear in the inside-right channel but the striker rushed his shot, blasting high and wide.
At the other end, Colombia forced a turnover which led to James Rodriguez curling in a cross from the right but Jhon Cordoba’s header was off target.
The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Lerma rose majestically above Jose Maria Gimenez and powerfully headed home Rodriguez’s corner.
It was the sixth assist of the tournament for Rodriguez with the former Real Madrid midfielder beating the record for most assists in a single Copa, which was set by Lionel Messi in 2021.
Colombia looked to make the most of their momentum with Richard Rios forcing a save out of Uruguay keeper Sergio Rochet, after being played in by Munoz.
But having been so influential down the right in the opening half, Munoz lost his head completely, just before the break, picking up a second yellow card, after landing an elbow on Manuel Ugarte.
It was a moment of rowdiness which left Colombia to defend their lead with just 10 men for the entire second half.
Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo took off Rodriguez, who was also on a yellow card, in the 62nd minute as Uruguay gradually began to turn their numerical advantage into real pressure.
Nicolas de la Cruz threatened with a low drive before substitute Luis Suarez clipped the outside of the post with a drive from the edge of the box after good work from Federico Valverde.
Valverde, the Real Madrid midfielder, then went close himself with a low drive as Colombia’s back-line continued to ride their luck.
Giveaway from Uruguay keeper fell to Mateus Uribe, who despite time and space placed his shot wide of the post.
In stoppage time, Uruguay had a great chance to force penalties when Nunez laid the ball off to substitute Giorgian de Arrascaeta on the edge of the box, but he leaned back and put his shot over the bar.
There was still time for Uribe to waste another chance to make sure of the win, this time hitting the bar in the final minute, but he will be forgiven for his wastefulness by the delirious Colombian supporters.
