Ten-Man Colombia Triumphs Over Uruguay 1-0 to Reach Copa America Final

After Wednesday's tense semi-final, Colombia advanced to the Copa America final for the first time in 23 years with a 1-0 victory against Uruguay despite playing with ten players.

The Colombians advanced to Sunday's final in Miami, where they will meet holders Argentina, thanks to a Jefferson Lerma header in the 39th minute.

Several players climbed in among fans between the flying punches, and the semi-final finished with scuffles on the field and fighting in the bleachers, performed in front of a crowded and enthusiastic audience.

Despite having Daniel Munoz sent off shortly before halftime and under heavy pressure from Uruguay, Colombia managed to hold on for a historic triumph, much to the joy of their devoted fan base.

With this victory, Colombia extended their unbeaten streak to 28 games, a new club record.

Several hours before kickoff, the streets of the North Carolina city's downtown were thronged with celebratory supporters donning bright yellow Colombia shirts.

It was expected that Colombia would come out strong in such an environment. Luis Diaz, a top player for Liverpool, did well to create space on the left and send a cross that found Daniel Munoz at the back post, but Munoz's header missed the mark.

Ever dangerous on the counter, Uruguay almost finished off a break when Darwin Nunez, a great player for Liverpool, was set up by a beautiful ball from Rodrigo Bentancur, but he sliced his effort wide.

Maximiliano Araujo found Nunez unmarked in the inside-right channel, creating another opportunity for the striker, but he hurried his effort, sending it high and wide.

In the other corner, Colombia's James Rodriguez curled in a right-wing cross that Jhon Cordoba failed to connect with with a header.

Lerma breakthrough

In the 39th minute, Rodriguez's corner was emphatically headed home by Lerma, who towered magnificently above Jose Gimenez.

Rodriguez, a former Real Madrid midfielder, surpassed Lionel Messi's 2021 mark for most assists in a single Copa with his sixth of the tournament.

After Munoz set him up, Richard Rios sought to capitalize on Colombia's momentum and forced Sergio Rochet, Uruguay's goalkeeper, into a save.

Despite Munoz's dominance on the right wing in the first half, he lost it soon before halftime and received a second yellow card for an elbow to Manuel Ugarte.

As a result of that insane situation, Colombia spent the whole second half defending their advantage with just ten players.

At 62 minutes, with Uruguay starting to convert their numerical advantage into severe pressure, Colombian coach Nestor Lorenzo substituted Rodriguez, who was already on a yellow card.

A low drive from Nicolas de la Cruz was a danger before the substitution. Following excellent work by Federico Valverde, Luis Suarez struck a shot from the outside of the box that almost missed the post.

As Colombia's defense kept riding their luck, Real Madrid midfielder Valverde came near with a low shot.

Mateus Uribe received the ball after a giveaway by the Uruguayan goalkeeper; however, despite having enough room and time, he missed the target with his effort.

In the last moments of regulation time, Uruguay almost scored a penalty kick when replacement Giorgian de Arrascaeta, set up by Nunez on the edge of the penalty area, leaned back and missed the target.

Even though Uribe missed a golden opportunity to seal the victory in the 94th minute by hitting the crossbar, the irate Colombian fans will forgive him.

After going down to 10 men in the second half, Uruguay's Argentine coach, Marcelo Bielsa, accepted responsibility for the team's loss.

It seemed apparent that Uruguay had a chance to win the game...When asked about the team's inability to gain an edge while having players who could have done so, he took particular responsibility for it.

Lorenzo, his colleague and rival, said that he and his squad had won because they had a good attitude.

We risked everything, took the lead, and showed courage. We maintained two attackers on the field when we were down one...He commended the bravery for which it had been recognized.

Organizers of the CONMEBOL will be concerned about the festivities, which were spoiled by nasty situations in the stands because of the final, which is expected to draw many Argentines and Colombians.

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