Colombia beat Uruguay and will play in the Copa America final (+Photos)

Colombia will seek its second Copa America title on Sunday / Photo: FCF Press

The Colombian soccer team defeated Uruguay on Wednesday, beating it 1-0 in a match corresponding to the semifinals of the 2024 Copa América, and advanced to the grand final of the tournament being held in the United States.

The Colombian team only needed a goal from Jefferson Lerma to overcome the Uruguayans at the Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte. In this way, they materialized their return to the decisive stage of the tournament, following 23 years.

Although the current champion Argentina arrived at the event as the main favorite, during the development of the event both the teams from Uruguay and Colombia also earned that consideration due to the good level of play shown.

In fact, the New Granada team, led by Néstor Lorenzo, beat Panama 5-0 in the quarter-finals, while La Celeste eliminated Brazil (in a penalty shoot-out).

A promising duel

Both teams came into Wednesday’s match with the goal of playing a decent game, although the Colombians were the ones who ended up better off.

From a corner kick, James Rodríguez crossed to the far post, which was headed in by Jefferson Lerma for the first and only goal of the match in the 39th minute.

At 45+1′ the situation became a little murky for the Colombians, as they were left with 10 men following Daniel Muñoz was sent off for a second yellow card. This forced Lorenzo to modify his team at the start of the second half and in the end he was able to hold on to the result.

One of Uruguay’s clearest chances to equalise came with a shot from Luis Suárez in the 71st minute, but the ball ended up hitting the post. From then on, Marcelo Bielsa’s men were unable to create any further danger and fell to defeat.

Return to a final

Now Colombia is returning to a Copa America final, a stage it has not reached since 2001, when it hosted and won the competition.

On that occasion, they defeated Mexico to win the title, but their rival now will be the reigning champion of America and the world, Argentina. The final duel will take place next Sunday, July 14, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The day before, Canada and Uruguay will face each other in the match for third place, which will be played at the Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Puerto La Cruz/ Javier A. Guaipo