Valverde Fede against Colombia:

69/75 passes; 5/7 long passes; two chances generated; 1/1 dribbles; two/3 duels won.

It was not supposed to be. 💔🇺🇾

Uruguay 0-1 Colombia: La Celeste drops to third position match player rating

Although James Rodriguez was quiet for most of the first half, he came up really strongly during the halftime break to assist Colombia make it to the Copa America final. The former Real Madrid midfielder registered his sixth assist of the tournament as Jefferson Lerma’s headed strike passed Sergio Rochet at his near post to set Colombia 1-0 up.

Up until near the end of the first 45, everything was going great for Colombia. After elbowing Manuel Ugarte, Crystal Palace full-back Daniel Munoz was issued a red card; the 28-year-old argued his case to referee Cesar Arturo Ramos as replays showed Ugarte shoving him near his midsection. Ramos wasn’t buying it, though, and Colombia had just 10 players with a one goal lead.

Colombia survived and advanced to the championship with a strong defensive performance, albeit playing the whole second half with 10 players. Uruguay went through heartache, but under Marcelo Bielsa they have much to be proud of.

Regarding Nestor Lorenzo’s Colombia, things just seem to be falling into place for Rodriguez’s South American country. Colombia has been among the top teams in the tournament and rightfully should earn a spot in the championship game against Lionel Messi and reigning champions Argentina.

Although demolishing the top national team in the world would be a difficult chore, Colombia is more than capable of accomplishing to earn their second-ever Copa America title in over two decades.