Colombia beat Uruguay on penalties to qualify for the semi-finals

Colombia win 4-2 on penalties after an even game finished goalless after 90 minutes to confirm the third semifinalist at the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021.

Goalkeeper David Ospina was the hero on the night in Brasilia with 2 penalty saves which ensured Reinaldo Rueda are amongst the 4 best on the continent.

It was a cautious opening, with Colombia playing with more energy but neither side creating clear chances.

The first time either goalkeeper was called into action was on 17 minutes. Rafael Santos Borré intercepted a Uruguayan pass and his near post cross forced an improvised clearance from Fernando Muslera. The assistant referee raised his flag and the whislte was blown to indicate the ball had curled off as it was sent into the box.

Just before the the halftime break, Duvan Zapata slipped past his man and fired a shot that was saved by Muslera from close range but at a tight angle. The rebound fell to Luis Muriel at the edge of the box but his powerful volley was high and wide.

The game really opened up in the second half with both sides looking to win it in 90 minutes. Luis Díaz crossed into the box for Zapata but Godín did just enough to deny the Atalanta striker a clear effort on goal.

Federico Valverde played the ball wide to Nández who’s deep cross almost caught Ospina out but the Colombian keeper recovered well to claw it away from the top corner.

Once again it was Zapata who was at the heart of Colombia’s most dangerous momets. With around 30 minutes gone in the second half Borré sent an excellent cross into the box but Muslera reacted well to block Duvan Zapata’s downward header at the far post.

The clock ticked down and the whistle was blown; the game would be decided on penalties.

In the shootout it was Ospina who was the star for Colombia. He saved penalties from Giménez y Viña while all four Colombian takers converted confidently. Colombia will now play in the semi-final on Tuesday at 22:00 in Brasilia.

NUMBERS FROM THE GAME

ï‚· This is the second time Uruguay and Colombia have played in the quarterfinal of the CONMEBOL Copa América and the second time the game has finished all square at the end of 90 minutes. The previous meeting came in 1993 when Colombia also won on penalties.

ï‚· Óscar Washington Tabárez’ Uruguay side has faced Colombia 13 times and only lost twice (7 wins, 4 draws). The defeats came in 2012 World Cup Qualifying (4-0) and the quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup 2014 (2-0).

ï‚· This was the first goalless draw in 11 games between Colombia and Uruguay in the CONMEBOL Copa América.

ï‚· Uruguay had 6 shots in the second half and only 1 in the first half. Uruguay have averaged 8.8 shots in the second half of games at the CONMEBOL Copa América 2021 and this is the joint highest with Paraguay.

ï‚· Yerry Mina made 6 headed clearances against Uruguay, the second highest of any player in the current CONMEBOL Copa América (F. Sierralta, de Chile, hizo 9 ante Uruguay). Mina is the player who has made the most headed clearances in this year’s Copa America (14).

ï‚· David Ospina has now played 112 games for Colombia and is now the player with most caps for the Colombian national team, overtaking legendary midfielder Carlos «El Pibe» Valderrama (111). The goalkeeper made his debut in 2007 in a game that was also against Uruguay.