The hallmark of a championship team is the ability to win games in a variety of fashions and circumstances. Heading into Wednesday’s semifinal against Uruguay, Colombia has had things its way at the Copa América, scoring goals for fun, and winning three of their four matches, with the lone blemish — if you can call it that — a draw with Brazil. But in Wednesday’s match, Colombia had to summon all of its reserves.
Los Cafeteros played more than half the match with 10 men following Daniel Munoz’s second yellow card in first-half stoppage time. But it was able to ride more set-piece brilliance from James Rodríguez, some stretched-to-the-limit defending, and yes, some luck too to prevail 1-0, earning a trip to just the third Copa final in its history. “I think this is a squad that is giving its all, and beyond the circumstances of the match, they deserve this and we’re very happy,” said Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo, with the help of a translator.
“We’re very happy for bringing joy to the Colombian people.” Uruguay is a team that loves to shove teams — sometimes — out of their comfort zone, pressing all over the field in a bid to achieve maximum chaos. After a slow start, La Celeste appeared to be doing exactly that, with Darwin Núñez twice going close.
Jefferson Lerma’s goal, however, put Colombia ahead just before half-time. But then Munoz’s ill-advised elbow to Manuel Ugarte’s chest — especially in the age of VAR — earned him a sec.
