Lerma heads Colombia into a Copa final after 23 years
Colombia beat Uruguay 10 in its Copa America semifinal on Wednesday despite playing the second half with only 10 men as Jefferson Lerma’s firsthalf header set up a title decider against defending champion Argentina. Colombia’s only triumph had come in 2001 when it played host.
Colombia’s Daniel Munoz was sent off at the end of the first half and while Uruguay dominated possession, it could not make the manadvantage count with Darwin Nunez missing three good opportunities to score early on.
The Liverpool forward had a great chance in the box in the 17th minute but curled his effort inches wide before a scuffed shot and another curling strike failed to find the target as he sat on his haunches wondering how he had missed.
Uruguay was made to pay for those missed chances when Lerma rose above the defence at a corner and squeezed his header past goalkeeper Sergio Rochet as James Rodriguez claimed his sixth assist of the tournament.
Munoz ejected
Colombia was then reduced to 10 men when right back Munoz received a second yellow card for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the chest when play was stopped.
With Uruguay dominating possession in the second half, Bielsa threw on Luis Suarez in the 67th minute and the veteran striker nearly scored moments later, the 37yearold’s shot hitting the post as he sank to his knees in frustration.
Colombia had a golden opportunity to seal the win in the 88th minute when it won the ball back in Uruguay’s box but Mateus Uribe sent his low shot wide. He saw another one deflect off the keeper and cannon off the crossbar in added time.
Colombia, which extended its unbeaten run to 28 games, held on for a famous win and will play Argentina in Sunday’s final. Uruguay will play Canada a day earlier in the thirdplace playoff.
The result: Colombia 1 (Lerma 39) bt Uruguay 0.