Colombia are aiming to win a second Copa America title but must first get past 15-time winners Uruguay in today’s semi-finals at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
The Los Cafeteros are the in-form team at the tournament, and are on a 27-match unbeaten run in after their dominant 5-0 victory over Panama in the last round.
They have won all but one of their games at the Copa America so far, drawing 1-1 with Brazil in the other to secure top spot in Group ‘D’. Colombia have only won the Copa America once before, back in 2001. Uruguay played out a goalless draw with Brazil before prevailing on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals. Despite showing off their free-flowing play early in the group stage, their defensive solidity has pushed them forward in the competition as they have not conceded in any of their last three matches.
Uruguay and Colombia are meeting for the third time in a Copa America semi-final. The first encounter was in 1975, with Los Cafeteros advancing to the final, while in 1995, La Celeste triumphed 2-0 and later claimed the title against Brazil. Colombia are competing in the semi-finals for the seventh time since 1993, but have only reached the final once in that time, when they beat Mexico 1-0 to lift the title in 2001.
(Agencies)
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