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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA (SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-COPA-AMERICA USA 2024-JUNE 20-JULY 14, 2024)-FIFA World#12, Colombia stuns #14, Uruguay 1-0, in a historic win for the Cafeteros who played a man short (10) in Copa America semifinals, advance to the championship title game against the reigning champions Argentina who beat Canada 2-0, in the other semifinal game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

With the historic victory, Colombia remains unbeaten with a streak of 28-games (22- Wins & 6-Draws), and advance to the finals for the first time since 2001, when they host and won the tournament to face Argentina next Sunday July 14, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Both teams played their heart-out in search of the goal during the entire game to secure the victory and spot in the title game against the super-star Lionel Messi and powerhouse Argentina.

Colombia, on its first major counter-attack through the left-side field corner, Luis Diaz (Striker, Liverpool F.C.) centered the ball inside the penalty box finding defender Daniel Munoz who headed wide to the left-side goal post at 14', mark.

Uruguay answered back with three consecutive counter-attacks of their own within 10', with striker Darwin Nunez missing three clear opportunities to open the score for the  Charruas.Federico Valverde (Midfielder, Real Madrid CF) through the middle gave it to Darwin Nunez (Striker, Liverpool F.C.), and who from inside 18', shot a hard lower left-footed barely missing the left-side goalpost at 17', mark.

Four minute later, Nunez once again shot a wide right-footed from inside the penalty box to the opposite right-goal post after receiving a perfect pass from Nicolas De La Cruz at 21', and third, midfielder Maximiliano Araujo on a counter attack through the left-side field passed the ball to Darwin Nunez who on a breakaway through the middle shot a right-footed over the crossbar just outside from the 18', for the game to remain scoreless at 27' of the first half.  

Colombia regained its composure and on its first major counter-attack through the right-side field corner, James Rodriguez  centered a perfect pass inside the penalty box to striker Jhon Cordoba  who with a header barely missed the back of the net at 33' mark.  

"Los Cafeteros" (Coffee Growers) kept the pressure and six minute later on its second offensive attack, midfielder Jefferson Lerma opened the score with header to the lower left-side goalpost after receiving a center pass inside the penalty box by James Rodriguez to put Colombia 1-0, in front and send the Colombians fans in a wild celebration. 

With the game clock winding-down, Colombia's defender Daniel Munoz was sent-off after hitting midfielder Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint Germain F.C.) leaving Colombia with a man short (10) and leading 1-0, at the half.

In the second half, the game turned into one of the best half of the tournament when Uruguay went to the offensive firing on all cylinders from the start, controlling the midfielder and missing three clear chances to tie the game.

Nicolas De La Cruz kicked a right-footed from 20-yards away missing the target and ending on the hands of goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Top-striker Luis Suarez from inside the 18, shot a right-footed canon hitting the right-goalpost out-of bounds after receiving a perfect pass from Federico Valverde from right-side field corner. 

Los Charruas kept the pressure with continuous counter-attacks, and in another attempt through the left-side field corner, Maximiliano Araujo passed it to Federico Valverde  who from 20-yards away kicked a hard rolling shot the ended wide off the left-side goalpost for another clear opportunity to tie the game.

In the other hand, Colombia also missed three clear chances as well to increase its lead and secure the victory with the game clock winding down in the second half.

After Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet failed the clear the ball, forward Luis Sinisterra intercepted the ball to Kevin Castano who immediately gave it to midfielder Mateus Uribe who all alone with the goalkeeper Roched shot wide at left-side goalpost outbounds at 87' mark.  

In 90+4' stoppage time, and final counter-attack through the left-side field corner, Kevin Castano to Luis Sinisterra who immediately passed it to Mateus Uribe, who all alone with the goalkeeper Roche once again, shot with a right-footed hitting the Roche's body and deflecting off the crossbar to closed-out the game with a thrilling ending and Colombia securing the victory of  1-0, over Uruguay.

Colombia with the win, advance to final championship game to face Argentina next Sunday July 14, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Article Written & File Photo by Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated

 



 

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