- Colombia defeats Panama 5-0 to advance to the Semifinal
- Los Cafeteros will play the winner of Uruguay and Brazil on July 10 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Highlights
- James Rodriguez tied Lionel Messi’s record for assists in a single CONMEBOL Copa América™ edition (5) with two assists in the first half. The captain also scored a goal.
- Richard Rios scored a screamer in the 70’ to make it four goals for Los Cafeteros. Miguel Borja then scored a PK with the last kick of the game to make it five.
- Colombia’s undefeated streak is now at 27 matches.
Match summary
The colors of Colombia in their traditional yellow and Panama in light blue dotted the field of State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on July 6 with a trip to the CONMEBOL Copa América™ Semifinals on the line.
Eight minutes in, the yellow dots of Colombia filled the Panama penalty area and Los Cafeteros got the party started. Captain James Rodriguez stood over the corner kick and delivered yet another beautiful cross which striker John Cordoba guided with his head into the Panama net. Rodriguez extended his competition leading assist tally to four and Colombia went up 1-0 early.
Then in the 13’, Colombian Jhon Arias got on the end of a through ball while Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera was coming out to claim it. Mosquera’s outstretched arms caught Arias and after a quick VAR review, Colombia was awarded the penalty. Up stepped Rodriguez, who coolly fired his shot in the right upper ninety. 2-0 Colombia after 15 minutes played.
Off a set piece in the 18’, Panama thought they had gotten on the board with an excellent header from Roderick Miller. The ball flew off Miller’s head, into the goalpost and inward off Camilo Vargas gloves and out. It’s safe to say the slim margins did not go Panama’s way in the first 20 minutes, while the Colombians got off to a flying start.
Colombia didn’t let off the gas either. From a quick restart after a free-kick was given in the 41’, James Rodriguez lobbed a pass over the defense to a running Luis Diaz. Diaz controlled the pass and then did a lob of his own over the Panamanian keeper, increasing Los Cafeteros’ advantage to three going into halftime.
In the second, it was more of the same. Colombia continued to fly forward and looked threatening to add to their lead. In the 70’, they finally did. Richard Rios smashed in a brilliant strike from outside the box. Minutes later, James Rodriguez would be subbed off, ending his fantastic match in which he recorded two assists and a goal. With nearly the last kick of the match, Colombia earned a penalty with Miguel Borja grabbing the fifth goal before the final whistle blew.
The match would end 5-0 in Arizona, marking the end of the tournament for Panama. For Colombia, their hopes for a first continental trophy since 2001 will continue into the Semifinals.
What’s next?
Colombia heads to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on July 10 to take on the winner of Brazil vs Uruguay while Panama’s journey at CONMEBOL Copa América™ ends.
Lineups:
Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Uribe, Arias; Rodriguez, Cordoba, Diaz
Used substitutes: Sinisterra, Carrascal, Arias, Quintero, Borja
Cards: Uribe (Yellow)
Coach: Nestor Lorenzo
Panama: Mosquera; Davis, Miller, Cordoba, Farina, Murillo; Blackman, Martinez, Welch, Barcenas; Fajardo
Used substitutes: Guerrero, Harvey, Ayarza, Valencia, Diaz
Cards: Welch (Yellow), Farina (Yellow), Cordoba (Yellow)
Coach: Thomas Christiansen
Goals: 8’ Jhon Cordoba (COL), 15’ James Rodriguez - Pen (COL), 41’ Luis Diaz (COL), 70', Richard Rios (COL), 90+5', Miguel Borja (COL)
Superior Player of the Match Michelob ULTRA: James Rodriguez
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona (USA)
