Colombia’s James Rodriguez celebrates his team’s advancement to the final during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semi-final match between Uruguay and Colombia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 10, 2024. (Photo: AFP)
Jefferson Lerma’s header in the 39th minute gave Colombia the victory, setting up a meeting with defending champions Argentina in Sunday’s final in Miami.
The semi-final, played before a rabid crowd, turned chaotic and ended with brawls on the field and in the stands, including several players thrusting themselves into the crowd of supporters as punches were thrown.
Colombia, despite Daniel Munoz being sent off just before half-time and coming under intense pressure from Uruguay, managed to pull off a classic win to the delight of their huge fan base.
The streets of this North Carolina city’s downtown were packed with party-loving fans wearing bright yellow Columbia jerseys hours before kickoff.
Inside the 74,800-seat Bank of America Stadium, the atmosphere was reminiscent of a home game in Bogota, with Uruguay supporters dotting the yellow walls that line the venue on all four sides.
Unsurprisingly, in this atmosphere Colombia started strongly, with Liverpool’s lively winger Luis Diaz creating space well on the left wing and crossing to Daniel Munoz at the goalpost, but the full-back’s header was deflected wide.
Uruguay were their usual threat on the counter-attack and when Liverpool star Darwin Nunez looked set to capitalise on the break, Rodrigo Bentancur played him a deft pass but the forward swerved his shot wide.
Maximiliano Araujo played a pass to Nunez in the right channel and Nunez had another chance, but the striker rushed his shot and sent it high and wide.
Meanwhile, Colombia won possession and James Rodriguez crossed from the right, but John Cordoba’s header went wide.
