Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 3:15PM GMT Fri, 12 July, 2024

Colombia has secured its place in the Copa America championship game for the first time in 23 years. Their victory over Uruguay was marked by intense moments, including playing the entire second half with a man down and a post-match brawl between players and fans.

Jefferson Lerma emerged as the hero for Colombia, scoring the decisive goal in the 39th minute, leading to a 1-0 win on Wednesday night. This victory sets up a highly anticipated final against Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina, scheduled for Sunday.

“Overcoming Weaknesses is Key,” says Colombia Coach

“Until you overcome your weaknesses, you cannot grow,” stated Colombia’s coach, Nester Lorenzo, through an interpreter. “And when you overcome those obstacles, you can grow.”

The match turned intense when Daniel Muñoz received a red card in first-half stoppage time for an elbow that led to his second yellow card. Despite Uruguay controlling 61.9% of the possession, Colombia held firm to reach the championship, echoing their triumph as hosts in 2001, their only previous Copa title.

Record-Breaking Unbeaten Streak

Colombia’s journey to the final has been underpinned by a record-breaking 28-game unbeaten streak, surpassing their previous best from 1992-94. This is the longest current streak in men’s international football.

Brawl on the Field and in the Stands

The match, which saw seven yellow cards alongside the red, culminated in a chaotic brawl involving players from both teams at the final whistle. Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and several teammates entered the stands, where fans were also fighting. A video captured Núñez hitting a fan wearing Colombian colors.

In response to the violence, CONMEBOL issued a statement condemning the incidents, emphasizing that football should unite people through positive values, and called for an end to intolerance and violence both on and off the field.

Final Showdown in Miami Gardens

The Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia will take place at Miami Gardens, Florida. Argentina, aiming for a record 16th Copa title, seeks to join Spain in winning three consecutive major championships.

Uruguay, meanwhile, will face Canada in the third-place match on Saturday night in Charlotte.

In front of a pro-Colombian crowd of 70,644 at Bank of America Stadium, Uruguay conceded their first goal of the tournament. James Rodríguez’s corner was perfectly met by Lerma, who outjumped José María Giménez to score his third international goal and second of the tournament. Rodríguez now leads the tournament with six assists.

Muñoz’s first yellow card came in the 31st minute for a reckless tackle on Maximiliano Araújo, followed by his ejection for elbowing Manuel Ugarte. The tensions peaked when Rodríguez received a yellow card in the 55th minute for arguing with referee César Ramos after Richard Ríos was injured by Darwin Núñez.

Vargas’ Crucial Saves and Suárez’s Near Miss

Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas made a crucial save against Nicolás de la Cruz in the 68th minute, marking Uruguay’s first on-target attempt. Uruguay’s Luis Suárez, their all-time leading scorer, hit the outside of the post in the 71st minute, expressing his frustration.

Colombia’s Mateus Uribe missed a crucial chance in the 88th minute and again in stoppage time, where his shot ricocheted off goalkeeper Sergio Rochet and then the crossbar. Uruguay even moved Rochet upfield in a desperate attempt to equalize in the final minutes.

Match Conditions and Attendance Records

The game was played in sweltering 90-degree heat on a surface converted from artificial turf to grass, a topic of contention among NFL players who prefer grass fields to reduce injury risk.

With two matches remaining, the tournament’s attendance has reached 1.48 million, just 1,663 short of the 2016 total in the United States.

For more in-depth coverage of the Copa America and other international sports events, visit Sports News Hub.