The streak continues. Regardless of a number of accidents, contentious refereeing selections, and a second half stuffed with valiant defending, Colombia prolonged its unbeaten streak to 27 video games straight with their win over Uruguay. They regarded terrifying in transition, divebombing their pitiable opponents with their fluid, dribble-heavy entrance 4. James Rodriguez, now 32 and enjoying with Sao Paulo, regarded like he was 23 once more lighting up Actual Madrid.
Colombia confirmed why they have been essentially the most dominant staff in South America, even over Brazil and Argentina, with their first-half efficiency in opposition to Uruguay. The assault regarded lovely to observe, usually connecting, drawing themselves out of place, and beating their markers one-on-one.
Colombia strolls previous Uruguay in first half
James, who has discovered his rhythm this Copa America, created three probabilities all through the match. Luis Diaz regarded electrical down the left, holding the ball up at instances, however drifting into the center different instances to arrange groups. Colombia is a staff stuffed with expertise, each with their golf equipment and one another. They appear poised but affected person, thrillingly intense in assault however strong on protection.
The primary massive second was a tough deal with on Colombia striker Jhon Cordoba, which injured Cordoba’s tackler. Whereas placing in a deal with on Cordoba, key anchoring midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur collided with Mathias Olivera. It took Bentacur a number of minutes to rise up, and when he did, he was accompanied by a pained grimace and a clutched thigh. Bentacur finally needed to go away the sport early.
The primary massive second of their high-tempo match got here via the speedy Darwin Nunez. After a give-and-go with Mathias Olivera, Nunez danced previous center-back Carlos Cuesta. The Liverpool striker received the ball to the highest of the field, and with keeper Camilo Vargas off his line, he had a good shot on aim. However, his curling effort spun simply over the crossbar.
James created one thing out of nothing together with his set-piece magic. Rodriguez floated a cross in the direction of the again submit, assembly a strong header from Jefferson Lerma. Lerma’s effort narrowly squeaked previous keeper Sergio Rochet, and similar to that, Colombia had their opener.
After which, tremors. The sound and really feel of Colombia followers leaping of their seats may have handed for an earthquake. Financial institution of America Stadium regarded vibrant with the yellow jerseys that scattered the stadium.
Munoz crimson card provides Colombia drawback
It appeared solely moments later that the thrill would flip to dread. After Daniel Munoz had a short argument with a Uruguay defender, Manuel Ugarte put his hand on Munoz’s shoulder and one other in Munoz’s rib cage. Munoz rotated and gave Ugarte a reactionary elbow.
Though the battle was temporary, it was sufficient for the referee to present Munoz a yellow card, his second of the day. Regardless of protests from Colombia workers and gamers, Munoz took the stroll of disgrace as halftime neared. Colombia must defend their one-goal lead with ten males.
Round 10 minutes after halftime, Colombia’s skillful midfielder Richard Rios took a troublesome deal with from Maximiliano Araujo. Rios, who regarded injured and begged for remedy, was initially disregarded by the ref till the protests of James delayed the sport. James received booked, however Rios received remedy and finally omitted of the sport. The state of affairs confirmed questionable refereeing and set the tone for a bodily first half.
It took a number of valiant efforts to maintain Uruguay from equalizing. Vargas got here up with an unbelievable cease in opposition to Nunez within the sixty fifth minute, selflessly shielding the close to submit by sacrificing his physique. Luis Suarez hit the submit after receiving a well-hit Federico Valverde go. The Inter Miami striker appeared dumbfounded and pissed off that his shot pinged off the woodwork — Suarez hasn’t scored for Uruguay since March 2022.
Regardless of happening a person, Colombia was nonetheless deadly in transition. Within the 89th minute, with fatigue setting in, super-sub Luis Sinisterra scampered onto a clumsily-hit Rochet go within the field. Sinisterra shoved it in the direction of teammate Kevin Castano. Castano handed to Matheus Uribe on the fringe of the field, however his shot rolled narrowly huge of the submit.
Uribe had an opportunity to redeem himself in stoppage time after Castano performed Sinisterra via on aim. Sinisterra squared the ball to Uribe with solely the keeper to beat from 12 yards out, however Uribe despatched his shot flying into Rochet. The shot bounced off the within of the crossbar and out of doors of the web, to the dismay of Uribe. Fortunately, it didn’t matter. Regardless of the embarrassing miss, the referee blew his full-time whistle to the excited whoops of Colombian followers.
Off-field points mar match
The customary pitch invasion from the gamers and the half-field celebrations have been marred by antics from the Uruguayan gamers. Uruguay and Colombia received right into a brawl after the sport, with Suarez one of many gamers having to be separated. Darwin Nunez led a combat within the stands, with Uruguayan gamers combating Colombia followers in a scene resembling Malice on the Palace. Nonetheless, experiences emerged that Colombia followers ‘avalanched’ the part of the gamers’ households. Nunez was seen consoling his distraught two-year-old son after the scene.
Colombia will journey to Miami to face Argentina on Sunday. If Colombia wins, it is going to be their first Copa America title since beating Mexico on house turf in 2001. It will be a deserved victory for a Colombia facet that has regarded dominant all through the match. Uruguay will keep in Charlotte to tackle Canada within the third-place recreation.
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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