The semi-finals of the 2021 Copa America are set. After Brazil and Peru booked their tickets with thrilling quarter-final wins, Argentina and Colombia have now joined them in the final four.
Colombia knocked out Uruguay in another penalty shootout after playing out a goalless draw in normal time. Meanwhile, Argentina – inspired once again by the great Lionel Messi – had by far the most convincing victory in the quarter-finals as they thrashed Ecuador 3-0.
The Argentines appear to be peaking at just the right time, so while the Copa America 2021 odds still favour hosts Brazil, Messi and co. could provide them a serious challenge should they meet in the final.
Uruguay 0-0 (2-4 on pens) Colombia
Colombia are back in the Copa America semi-finals for the second time in three tournaments as they outlasted Uruguay in a penalty shootout.
Both sides came into this match struggling to score – Colombia had just three goals in four group games while Uruguay had four in four – and it resulted in this quarter-final clash lacking too many goalscoring opportunities.
Colombia had the slight upper hand, though. Luis Muriel missed a big opportunity in the first half. And in the second half, Duvan Zapata was then denied a tap-in by Uruguay captain Diego Godin.
With the superstar strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani kept in check by Colombia’s defence, Uruguay’s best chance to score in normal time came when Matias Vecino’s cross looked to be creeping in toward goal, but David Ospina did well to claw the ball away for a corner.
Ospina’s opposite number, Fernando Muslera, was also forced into a fine save by Zapata’s downward header.
The match eventually went on to penalties, with Zapata and Edinson Cavani both scoring their respective teams’ openers.
However, Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez had his penalty saved by Ospina, which put the Colombians in charge 2-1.
Luis Suarez scored Uruguay’s succeeding penalty, but with Colombia making all four of theirs, Matias Vina needed to make his to keep Uruguay alive. Unfortunately, Ospina pulled off another save to give Los Cafeteros the dramatic victory.
Argentina 3-0 Ecuador
After a slow start to the tournament, Argentina finally appear to be finding their best form at the Copa America. La Albiceleste produced by far the most convincing victory in the quarter-finals with their 3-0 win against Ecuador.
Rodrigo De Paul gave Argentina the lead five minutes from half-time. Lautaro Martinez scored the second six minutes from full-time, and Lionel Messi added a third deep in stoppage time with a brilliant free-kick.
After scoring just three goals in their first three games, Argentina have now scored seven in their last two. They thumped Bolivia 4-1 in their final group match, with Messi bagging a brace.
Messi has been almost singlehandedly responsible for all of Argentina’s Copa America 2021 highlights. He is the tournament leader with four goals – two more than any other player – and has also set up four other goals.
Messi should have opened the scoring for Argentina after he was sent clean through on goal by an Ecuadorian defender’s disastrous back pass. However, his left-footed strike hit the post and was cleared away.
But Messi would make up for his miss by setting up their opening goal. Ecuador keeper Hernan Galindez took out Nico Gonzalez with a great challenge outside the box, but the ball fell perfectly to Messi, who squared the ball to an unmarked Rodrigo De Paul, who kept his cool and passed the ball into the back of the net.
Messi would also have a hand in their second goal six minutes from time as he unselfishly set up Lautaro, who lashed the ball into the net.
And Messi fittingly put the finishing touches on the win by scoring himself. Substitute Angel Di Maria sprinted straight at the tired Ecuador defence and won a free-kick right at the edge of the box.
It was the perfect location for Messi to pull off one of his patented free-kicks, which he blasted right into the top corner.
Messi and co. will now move on to face Colombia in the semi-finals, which SBOTOP will preview in full detail. The two countries met in the group stage in 2019, with Colombia coming away 2-0 winners. They also met in the knockout stage in 2015, with Argentina advancing to the semi-finals on penalties.
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