Colombia enters the semi-finals having gone 27 games without defeat, matching their all-time undefeated streak. The final will take place this Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida against already-qualified Lionel Messi Argentina.
Uruguay is aiming for an unprecedented 16th Copa America title, sharing the record of 15 trophies with Argentina, who will face Canada in the other semi-final. Uruguay advanced to the semifinals with a penalty shootout victory over Brazil. They made a tournament-high 26 fouls and got a red card for Nahitan Nandez’s foul on Rodrygo, but they created more opportunities than Brazil. Manager Marcelo Bielsa was determined that his team would not compromise its attacking style.
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Uruguay looks to slow down surging Colombia into the Finals
Nandez will serve a one-game suspension, while defender Ronald Araujo will miss the rest of the tournament due to a leg injury suffered in the quarterfinals. Colombia, fresh off a 5-0 quarter-final victory over Panama, is aiming to reach their first Copa final in 23 years.
They won their only Copa America title in 2001 when they defeated Mexico in the final. Nestor Lorenzo’s Colombian team has had eight different players score goals in the tournament so far. James Rodriguez, a veteran, has been remarkable, matching Lionel Messi’s record of five assists in a single tournament since the statistic was first recorded in 2011. Lorenzo believed the match between Colombia and Uruguay was deserving of a final. But it was a costly victory. Uruguay’s Nahitan Nández received a red card in the 74th minute for a reckless tackle, while defender Ronald Araújo suffered a muscle injury. Both are out against Colombia.
