Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0 in their Copa America semi-final match on Wednesday in spite of playing the second half with only 10 men.Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina helped to set up a title decider against defending champions Argentina on Sunday.
Colombia’s Daniel Munoz was sent off at the end of the first half and, while Uruguay dominated possession, they could not make the man-advantage count.
This was as Darwin Nunez missed three good opportunities to score early on.
The Liverpool forward had a great chance in the penalty box in the 17th minute, but hecurled his effort inches wide before a scuffed shot.
Another curling strike failed to find the target as he sat on his haunches wondering how he had missed.
Uruguay were made to pay for those missed chances when Lerma rose above the defence at a corner-kick and squeezed his header past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.
It helped James Rodriguez to claim his sixth assist of the tournament.
Colombia were then reduced to 10 men when right-back Munoz received a second yellow card for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the chest when play was stopped.
With Uruguay dominating possession in the second half, Bielsa threw on Luis Suarez in the 67th minute.
The veteran striker nearly scored moments later, with the 37-year-old’s shot hitting the post as he sank to his knees in frustration.
Colombia had a golden opportunity to seal the win in the 88th minute when they won the ball back in Uruguay’s penalty box, but Mateus Uribe sent his low shot wide.
He saw another one deflect off the goalkeeper and cannon off the crossbar in added time.
Colombia, who extended their unbeaten run to 28 games, held on for a famous win and will face Argentina in Sunday’s final match.
Uruguay will take on Canada a day earlier in the third-place playoff.
(Reuters/NAN)
