Uruguay and Colombia clashed in a heated Copa America semifinal, with Colombia securing a 1-0 victory despite playing a man down for the entire second half. Jefferson Lerma’s 39th-minute goal proved decisive, as Colombia reached their first final since their 2001 triumph as hosts. The match was fraught with tension, featuring seven yellow cards and a red card for Colombia’s Daniel Muñoz just before halftime.
The intensity spilled over after the final whistle, with players from both sides involved in a scuffle on the pitch. Uruguay’s Darwin Núñez and several teammates even confronted fans in the stands, leading to further altercations. A video emerged showing Núñez allegedly striking a Colombian supporter.
Defending champions Argentina await Colombia in the final, aiming for a record 16th Copa America title and seeking to emulate Spain’s achievement of winning three consecutive major championships from 2008 to 2012. Uruguay, meanwhile, will face Canada in the third-place playoff.
The match took place in front of a predominantly Colombian crowd of 70,644 at Bank of America Stadium, where Lerma’s header off James Rodríguez’s corner kick broke Uruguay’s tournament-long resilience. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Colombia’s resilience and Camilo Vargas’ goalkeeping ensured Uruguay couldn’t find an equalizer.
The game was played under challenging conditions, with temperatures soaring to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and on a grass surface newly laid for the occasion. This change from artificial turf, typically used for NFL games hosted at the venue, was noted by some footballers who highlighted the potential injury risks posed by artificial pitches.
The semifinal’s contentious atmosphere, marked by physical play and disciplinary issues, underscored the high stakes of South America’s premier football tournament. Colombia’s victory sets the stage for a thrilling final against Argentina, while Uruguay prepares to conclude their campaign against Canada in the battle for third place.
