Colombia, Uruguay secure Copa America semifinal spots

Jhon Cordoba, James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz scored targets throughout a dominant first half to spark Colombia to a 5-0 win over Panama within the quarterfinals of the Copa America on Saturday.

Colombia — which got here into Saturday on a 26-match unbeaten streak — wasted little time on No. 27 when Cordoba’s well-placed header within the eighth minute discovered the underside nook of the web following a nook kick from Rodriguez.

Los Cafeteros pushed forward 2-0 lower than 10 minutes in a while Rodriguez’s highly effective penalty kick. Colombia was awarded the penalty after Panama goalie Orlando Mosquera tripped up Colombia’s Jhon Arias, who was sprinting to avoid wasting the ball from going out of bounds close to the put up.

It was the 32-year-old Rodriguez’s twenty eighth aim in worldwide play and his all-around excellence was on full show towards Panama.

“He is a great participant, there’s nothing to clarify,” stated Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo. “He is a participant who’s joyful inside the sphere.”

Colombia made it 3-0 within the forty first minute when Diaz lobbed a shot over Mosquera, who had charged ahead through the breakaway. The aim was arrange by one other good cross from Rodriguez.

Uruguay wins penalty shootout

Colombia advances to the semifinals on Wednesday towards Uruguay, who edged Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout after taking place to 10 males in a bruising 0-0 draw on Saturday evening.

Sergio Rochet saved Brazil’s first penalty within the shootout from Eder Militao whereas his teammate Douglas Luiz hit the put up to offer Uruguay the higher hand.

Though keeper Alisson Becker denied Jose Maria Gimenez and Gabriel Martinelli scored to maintain Brazil alive, Manuel Ugarte buried the decisive spot kick as Uruguay superior.

With Vinicius Jr suspended for Brazil and watching on from the stands, Dorival Jr’s aspect struggled to create alternatives regardless of having a man-advantage late within the second half when Uruguay’s Nahitan Nandez was despatched off.

In a bruising encounter with 41 fouls from each groups, gamers from each side have been concerned in bodily battles throughout the pitch.