Uruguay against Colombia in Copa América semifinal

CONMEBOL

Uruguay, which beat Brazil 4-2 on penalty kicks to advance to the Copa América semifinals against Colombia Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium.

The die has been cast.

Colombia and Uruguay are on their way to Charlotte for the most important international soccer match ever hosted here, a Copa America semifinal Wednesday at Bank of America Stadium.

The first semifinal will match the highly expected Argentina against the more highly unexpected Canada on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Colombia easily dispatched an overachieving Panama 5-0 on Saturday in Phoenix to earn their trip to Charlotte. Five different players scored for Colombia, two from penalty kicks. James Rodriguez had one of the penalty shots and two assists, giving him five to lead the tournament.

Uruguay’s rumble against Brazil was another story. Even with Uruguay a man down for the last 20 minutes, it came down to penalty kicks in a 4-2 win. Brazil was saved on their first attempt and missed on their third to give Uruguay the advantage that was sealed by Manuel Ugarte on their fourth kick.

For historical context, Brazil’s grudge against Uruguay was truly born 74 years ago when its much smaller southern border neighbor beat the home team to win the 1950 World Cup. Of the 41 fouls called, 25 were from Uruguay.

Both teams have only three days to rest and repair including their travel from the quarterfinal sites in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

The gauntlet that is Uruguay

Even with a man advantage for more than 15 minutes, Brazil could not threaten the Uruguayan goal, forcing a penalty-kick tiebreaker. Unlike the European championship being contested concurrently, the Copa does not employ extra time and goes directly to penalty kicks, a bad way to win but a worse way to lose.

It was the Uruguay, nicknamed La Celeste, the Sky Blue, most familiar to longtime soccer fans, some exquisite moments with the ball and a preponderance of slightly veiled aggravated assaults without it. The same country that has produced such creative players as Juan Schiaffino, Enzo Francescoli, Diego Forlan, and Edinson Cavani, has the DNA of a chainsaw.

As a team, Uruguay has the beauty of their offense offset by a take-no-prisoners defense. Their resume includes the fastest red card in World Cup history when, against Scotland in the 1986 World Cup, it took Jose Batista all of 54 seconds to be ejected.

It did take a full 75 minutes for Nahitan Nandes to see red for a straight-legged, cleats up sliding tackle on the ankle of Brazil’s Rodrygo.

Perhaps Luis Suarez, the gifted goal scorer now with Inter Miami FC and still on the national team, best represents the Yin and Yang that is Uruguay. The 37-year-old striker has scored 68 goals in 140 appearances for his country, and 485 overall, but may be best remembered for a moment of madness, taking a bite out of Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It warranted a four-month suspension by FIFA, a nine-game international ban, and a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs.

By the numbers

Colombia rides into the semifinal in a more relaxed fashion with their comprehensive and far less taxing win against Panama. They downed Paraguay 2-1, Costa Rica 3-0, and drew 1-1 with Brazil in pool play before meeting Panama.

Los Cafeteros (the coffee makers) haven’t lost in 27 matches (21 wins, 6 draws), equaling their best run ever (13 wins, 14 draws) but in more impressive fashion.

They lead the tournament with goals scored (11) and average (2.8). Uruguay, which won all three group games, follows with nine goals, and a 2.3 average. They have conceded one goal in the tournament so far, Colombia only two. In expected goals, Colombia is second to Argentina (8.9) with 7.3 with Uruguay just behind at 6.9.

CONMEBOL

Colombia, which routed Panama 5-0 in the knockout round to advance to the Copa América semifinal, beat Paraguay and Costa Rica while drawing Brazil in group play.

South American championship in North America – Chapter Two

With 15 Copa titles, Uruguay is level with Argentina for the most trophies in the tournament, which began in 1916. Argentina are the defending champions. Colombia has won once, in 2001. Uruguay’s last title was in 2011.

Until 1975, it was a round-robin format called the South American Football Championship where the team with the most points at the end was declared champion. Rebranded as the Copa America in 1975, it moved to the current group, knockout, and final game structure.

This is the second time the Copa has been contested in the United States. The tournament’s 100th anniversary “Centenario” tournament was held here in 2016.

Who’s who

Uruguay features several familiar players. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez frustrates his national team fans much as he does those of the Reds with the opportunities he misses. Ronald Araujo plays for Barcelona, Federico Valverde for Real Madrid, Manuel Ugarte for PSG, and Rodrigo Betancur for Tottenham Hotspur.

Colombia stars include James Rodriguez, currently at Sao Paolo, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, former Chicago Fire forward Jhon Duran, now at Aston Villa, and a pair of Crystal Palace players in Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Munoz.

ML-YeS

In total, 40 MLS players and one MLS Next Pro player have made official rosters for Copa América 2024. According to the league, 21 of 29 MLS clubs were represented in the tournament. Semifinalist Canada has 14 MLS players on its roster. Other semifinalists include Suarez and LAFC’s Cristian Olivera for Uruguay, and Messi for Argentina.

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