Colombia came out victorious against Uruguay in the second semi-final of the Copa America 2024 to set up a grand finale with the defending champions Argentina on Sunday.
Match Result:
Uruguay 0-1 Colombia
Goalscorers
Jefferson Lerma (39) 
First Half Analysis
Uruguay started the match offensively, creating several attacking opportunities. Darwin Nunez had the best chances but missed three clear opportunities in the first half. His best chance came in the 17th minute, when he narrowly missed the target from the edge of the box. Despite Uruguay’s early dominance, Colombia scored the first goal in the 38th minute when Jefferson Lerma directed the ball into the net from a James Rodriguez’s precise corner kick. The match took a dramatic turn in the 45th minute when Daniel Munoz received a red card for elbowing Ugarte in the chest.
Key Moments
- Darwin Nunez’s early miss
- Jefferson Lerma’s headed goal
- Daniel Munoz picked up a red card.
Second Half Highlights
Colombia began the second half with ten men and adopted a more defensive approach, which allowed Uruguay to take advantage. In the 71st minute, Luis Suarez came close to scoring the equalizer with a right-footed effort that hit the post. Despite Uruguay creating numerous chances in the second half, they could not score due to a strong defensive display from Colombia. In the 88th minute, Colombia had a chance to seal the match when Mateus Uribe was in a one-on-one situation, but he missed the shot to the left.
Key Moments
- The woodwork denied Luis Suarez
- Colombia’s resilient display at the back
- Mateus Uribe’s golden chance to seal the victory
Match-defining moments
Daniel Munoz’s red card:
Colombia controlled the match after scoring an early goal through Jefferson Lerma. However, the game took a turn in first-half stoppage time when Daniel Munoz was shown a red card for elbowing Ugarte in the chest. This unnecessary challenge, coupled with his earlier yellow card, means he will miss the final, which is a big blow for Argentina.
Luis Suarez hitting the woodwork:
The substitution of Luis Suarez at the 60th minute mark was a brilliant move. He managed to dispossess the opposing team’s defenders multiple times, creating opportunities for his teammates to take shots. In the 71st minute, Suarez came close to scoring the equalizer. After receiving a pass from Valverde inside the box, Suarez thought he had scored, but his right-footed shot hit the right post.
Mateus Uribe’s golden chance to seal the victory:
Uruguay was putting pressure on and looking for an equalizer, which left their defense exposed. Colombia had a two-on-one situation with the Uruguay defender. Kevin Castano nearly set up a goal for Mateus Uribe in the 88th minute, but the shot missed narrowly to the left. This missed opportunity could have secured the victory for Colombia and released the pressure at the end of the match.
Implications and Future Prospects
Uruguay’s impressive journey in the tournament has come to an end. They can take pride in the performance they displayed throughout the tournament. Despite coming close to scoring in numerous situations, the outcome could have been different for them. Marcelo Bielsa has put together an impressive team that will only improve with time. Their focus will now shift to the World Cup qualifiers, which begin in September.
Colombia’s unbeaten streak continued as they secured another impressive win. The team displayed excellent resilience at the back, playing the second half with ten men. However, they will be missing Munoz in the final because of a red card. Courtesy of the win, James Rodriguez and the team will face defending champion Argentina in the final, aiming to win their first-ever Copa America title.
Upcoming Fixtures
Argentina vs. Colombia: 15 July 2024
Conclusion
Despite Uruguay’s impressive performance in the competition, it is Colombia that ultimately emerges victorious. They showcased their championship qualities by delivering an outstanding second-half performance despite playing with ten men. The match highlighted their exceptional defensive skills, ultimately securing their victory. Colombia now possesses all the necessary attributes to potentially derail Argentina’s hopes of securing back-to-back titles.
