Jefferson Lerma scored in the 39th minute, and Colombia played a man short the entire second half in a 1-0 win over Uruguay on Wednesday night to reach the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Daniel Munoz was ejected in first-half stoppage time for his second yellow card, but Colombia held on to reach the championship for the first time since winning their only Copa title as host in 2001. Colombia extended their unbeaten streak to a team record 28 games, one more than from 1992 to 1994 and the longest current streak in men’s international soccer.
In a contentious match that included seven yellow cards and one red, players from both teams pushed and shoved in a scrum on the field at the final whistle. Darwin Nunez and about a dozen Uruguay teammates went into the stands as fans brawled. A video showed Nunez hitting a fan in Colombian team colors.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Defending champion Argentina and Colombia are to meet on Sunday night at Miami Gardens, Florida. Argentina are seeking a record 16th Copa title and are looking to join Spain from 2008 to 2012 as the only countries to win three straight major championships.
Uruguay stays in Charlotte to meet Canada in tomorrow’s third-place match.
Before an overwhelmingly pro-Colombia crowd of 70,644 that filled Bank of America Stadium with yellow jerseys and flags, Uruguay fell behind for the first time in the tournament.
Photo: AFP
James Rodriguez’s corner kick was headed in from short range by Lerma, who outjumped Jose Maria Gimenez for his third international goal and second of the tournament. Rodriguez has six assists in the tournament — triple the total of any other player.
Munoz received his first yellow card from Mexican referee Cesar Ramos in the 31st minute for a reckless slide tackle on Maximiliano Araujo and his second for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the stomach.
Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas did not have to make his first save until he stopped Nicolas de la Cruz in the 68th minute.
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