New
Jersey: On Friday, Colombia defeated Peru on penalties to reach the semi-finals
of Copa America 2016.
Both
Columbia and Peru played out a low-key goalless draw at MetLife Stadium,
Colombia with the better chances until stoppage time, when Peru defender
Christian Ramos threatened a dramatic winner.
Colombia’s
goalkeeper David Ospina, who plays for Arsenal in the Premier League, then
saved from Miguel Trauco before Christian Cueva's miss handed Colombia a 4-2
win in the shootout.
Carlos
Bacca's early run and shot drew a sharp save from Peru keeper Pedro Gallese
while at the other end, Paulo Guerrero's cross was headed over by Edison
Flores. The best chance yet came when Colombia captain James Rodriguez curled a
shot with his weaker right foot from 20 yards against the base of a post, with
Bacca putting the rebound wide from a tight angle.
The
rest of the opening period passed in scrappy fashion and that pattern continued
after the break as Colombia were given an early free kick which James curled
straight at Gallese.
Bacca
headed straight at the keeper while Peru forward Flores drilled a free kick
straight into the wall. Ramos made a crucial clearance to prevent Cuadrado's
cross reaching Bacca and Jeison Murillo headed James’ free kick well wide.
Ospina
made a vital stoppage-time save from Ramos' header, taking the game straight to
penalties with Copa America rules specifying no extra time until the final. He
then saved Peru’s third penalty, from full-back Trauco, with his right foot
before Cueva put the fourth over the bar to send Colombia through.
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