Columbia back to the Final for the first time since 2001 as brawl explodes in the aftermath #2330
Columbia 1 Uruguay 0FT
Argentina already has their foot in the final of the 2024 Copa America. However, on Wednesday night we would find out which nation would join them. At Bank of America, Stadium in North Carolina would be the setting for the second semi-final between Uruguay and Columbia. Uruguay ended up in a group with the United States Bolivia, and Panama. They swam through the group without difficulty picking up three consecutive victories to start the Copa America. They played against Brazil in the quarterfinals. It was a bluff bath in terms of physicality a brutal match of football. neither could find a winner. It would have to be settled on penalties. Uruguay managed to progress on spot kicks. thanks to Douglas Luis for hitting the post. They have one of the best teams in South America with a really good opportunity to push themselves into that final. on the other side of the coin, Columbia ended up in a group with Brazil, Costa Rica, and Paraguay. The Columbia ended up going unbeaten with two victories in the group stage. Columbia has not tasted defeat since 2022. They have put together some cruelly insane form with James Rodriguez appearing to turn back the clock as he has been right there with Latauro Martinez as the best player at Copa America a massive opportunity for both Uruguay and Colombia with Brazil already out of the way as the semifinal is here between Columbia and Uruguay, Argentina is waiting In North Carolina on Thursday we would find out who would be joining them.
Uruguay dominated the ball from the very beginning as expected. However, Columbia still proves to be a threat. Even without it Columbia would be the ones to draw blood first in the 6th minute Jhon Arias took his chances from the last ing the ball from distance over the goal. In the early parts Of the first half, it was all Columbia. In the 16th minute, Jefferson Lerma unloads a strike over the left corner from distance. Once again the Colombians trying to work it from distance although it has not hit for them as of yet. However, Uruguay would get back in the 17th minute. Darwin Nunez collects the ball in close range right in front of goal as he attempts to lift it It drags over the corner blows are being exchanged from both teams as there is a point of contention between them. Very aggressive and physical play as Columbia and Uruguay have a level of tension between them. an incredibly physical as they are just waiting to pounce on an opportunity. In the 22nd minute, Facundo Pellistri facilitates a ball for Darwin Nunez inside the box. The Liverpool Striker took another touch but was once again unable to find his moment for Uruguay. Uruguay now picking up a little bit of momentum and energy to try to keep Columbia's pressure off of them. In the 25th minute, Sebastián Cáceres delivers a ball into the box Darwin Nunez manages to collect it, however, he hits it at a difficult angle as the ball trails off. In the 28th minute, Uruguay get on the counterattack. It very well could have been the moment. however, Darwin Nunez despite having a good touch from distance can't drive it in the corner. Uruguay has had a number of chances over the last few minutes but has been unable to capitalize on them. It would come back and haunt them. In the 39th minute as the first half was starting to wind down, Columbia ended up winning themselves a corner on the right side. James Rodriguez drives it in Jefferson Lerma rises getting his head on the end of it sending it into the bottom corner as Columbia takes a 1-0 lead. Uruguay has to be kicking itself Uruguay had multiple chances to score the opening goal before they got nipped in the corner. Columbia now has the momentum to hold them off. In the 45th minute soon after scoring Columbia nearly double their advantage Richard Ríos strikes from close range but Rochet comes up with the necessary save. Uruguay managed to prevent another goal for Columbia. The first half comes to a close with Columbia having taken advantage of the set piece as they are now 45 minutes away from making the Copa America final for the first time since 2001. However, in the late parts of the first half, Daniel Muñoz Is sent off as Uruguay and Columbia had to be separated. he not only tried to kick a Uruguay player while he was on the ground but on top of that elbowed Ugarte He was sent off with a red card. Columbia still had the lead but now they'll have to figure out how to hold it with a Man disadvantage.
Columbia continues to play well in this tournament. furthermore, has continuously played at an elite level over the several They capitalize on the one big moment that They had while Uruguay has not taken their chances properly. Early in the second half, Columbia won another corner. In the 51st minute, James Rodriguez delivers another ball into the box Jhon Córdoba gets on the end of it this time But his header drags to the right. Columbia needed to be extra careful. They are down to 10 men and any mistake can easily be jumped on if they don't operate with a level of caution. however, Uruguay seems to be continuing to shoot themselves in the foot in front of goal. Columbia had left the ball, however defensively they were trying to trap space so Uruguay couldn't find an easy route to scoring opportunities. This worked incredibly effectively. It wasn't until the 66 minutes that Uruguay was able to take a shot in The second half. Nicolás de la Cruz finally tests, Columbia with a well-taken shot from a distance with the goalkeeper and needing to react. He is inevitably denied, however, an excellent look for the man who plays his football in Brazil. In the 71st minute, Luis Suarez had a huge moment The legend collects it from Federico Valverde the inter Miami forward then takes a stab at it from a dangerous position. his effort smashes into the crossbar and what very easily could have been an equalizer for Uruguay. Time is running out but the energy for Uruguay and the confidence seems to be growing. there's not a lot of time to pull this off, but late in the second half, it seems as if they're finally putting together the chances. Uruguay hit back again in the 75th minute Federico Valverde followed through from a distance as the Real Madrid midfielder hit it perfectly. He struck it from the right side and it flew right towards the top corner. just a millimeter off the target. had it been an inch to the left it would have found the back of the neck as Uruguay felt the frustration once more. In the 85th minute, Manuel Ugarte goes deep getting his foot on a ball. hit with great power. however, Columbia defensively has gotten in the way as his shot is deflected It however would earn themselves a corner. in the 86th minute, a ball is delivered into the box José Giménez gets his head on the end of it. dragging it over the corner. another close call. In the 89th minute, Maximiliano Araújo drags an effort on goal from distance again denied by Columbia. Uruguay continued to bang on that door but there would not be left with a lot of time. In the 95th minute with very little time left José Giménez gets his head on the end of a cross that dragged wide. time has officially run out on Uruguay as Columbia makes the final for the first time since 2001.
In the aftermath of the final whistle, there was complete chaos between Uruguay and Columbia. A fight broke out between Uruguay and Columbia players on the pitch and then in the stands Columbia fans started throwing things at the Uruguay players. there was a safety measure that was not taken. that should have been. then. Darwin Nunez took it a step too far as he started climbing into the stands along with Luis Suarez. it was total chaos and out of control! It started with fans in the stands and then ended with fighting on the pitch and then all together players going into the stands. I'm not going to pick sides of who started this and who finished it. It was inappropriate and scandalous behavior by both Uruguay and Columbia. The Columbia fans are throwing things at the Uruguay players who may have started this whole thing. However, neither have conducted themselves. respectfully and professionally as it was an absolute clown show at the end. fans were trying to protect their families while the chaos was going on. It was a complete embarrassment from both sides of this. however, the ones that get the most blame for this are the organizers of the Copa America. José Giménez In an interview called out the Copa America and the organizers surrounding it. The United States was not prepared for what ended up happening Wednesday night. They did not have the security nor the person now to deal with the events at the semi-final. Uruguay and Columbia fans both deserve blame for what happened in the way they conducted themselves. The blame is also on Darwin Nunez for going into the stands that said ALL OF US would have done the same thing to protest our families his family was being attacked by rival fans. I’m in favor of a fine but not suspension or a ban. The organizers of the event should have been more prepared for the possibility of something like this happening. these are two very passionate South American fan bases. they will defend their country to no end. the United States should have been prepared for something like this possibly occurring and they had no handle on it whatsoever as we saw fleet and disgraceful finish what should have been a celebration of Columbia turned out into a firestorm of chaos and drama in North Carolina. On a lighter note, Columbia has been absolutely sensational They have not lost in 2 years. they are on a mission to win for the first time since 2001 when they hosted the competition. however, they have been a team on a mission. It seems as if nothing can stop them. they will play against Argentina in the final. It should be one for the ages. the slight edge, regardless of the individual context, has to be Argentina. They are the defending Champions. They have won the last two major tournaments that have been available to them. player for player. they have far a better team. however, does Columbia have a real shot to win the cope of America on Sunday? they absolutely do. They will have to take down a mammoth to do so but they are more than capable of it. Uruguay is a far better team but they managed to beat them. they can do the same to Argentina now. will they? that's another question, all together history's on the line for both. History for Columbia would mean winning the Copa America for the first time. 2001 they will be only the second Nation ever to hold three major tournaments at the same time. adding a back-to-back on the resume of Messi also to a degree can go into it. It is the perfect set of circumstances and what should be a great final. The two best players at this tournament have been Latauro Martinez and James Rodriguez. They will be meeting in the final with the highest stakes possible. on Wednesday night Columbia took that next step as they beat Uruguay on the way to the final. It will be Argentina against Columbia in the 2024 Copa America final with a crown to be bestowed on one of them this Sunday.
