Chile defeated Colombia 2-0 on Wednesday night at Soldier Field in Chicago in the semifinals of the Copa America “Centenario”.
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Even if, as expected, Jose Pekerman trots out a mostly-reserve Colombian side to face the Americans on Saturday, the third-place match will still have value for the U.S. It is an opportunity for Klinsmann to deploy a team that has an eye toward the future.
Los Cafeteros looked stylish in group stage wins against the USA and Paraguay, but they’ve fallen off since, dropping a 3-2 result to Costa Rica in the Group A finale, surviving against Peru in a penalty kick shootout in the quarters and falling 2-0 to Chile in the semifinals.
Colombia had appeals for a penalty waved away early in the second half when Daniel Torres tumbled over the outstretched leg of Gonzalo Jara in the penalty area.
However, a break in the weather allowed teams of ground staff to set about clearing excess water from the field, and after a delay of nearly 21/2 hours, the second half resumed at 10.25pm local time.
In the 57th minute, to make matters worse for Colombia, midfielde rCarlos Sanchez was sent off for a second bookable offence. In fact, a mistake made by Juan Cuadrado brought Chile its first goal at minute 6. Chile defeated their South American rivals to the east on penalty kicks a year ago to win their first Copa America title but Argentina actually defeated Chile 2-1 in Group D play earlier this summer in the Copa America Centenario. Arturo Vidal will serve a one-match ban for yellow cards, leaving a gaping hole in Chile’s midfield.
UEFA said that the first 26 matches at the Euro were watched by 1.2 million fans, an average of 46,153, while the Copa’s average so far is slightly below at 45,108.
Chile scored nine goals in 100 minutes of play between the quarterfinal and early stages of the semis.
Colombia put up a spirited effort Wednesday against Chile, but could not produce enough magic in the final third to upend the defending Copa America champs. Argentina later had two players come off due to injury but finished strong to win 4-0 after two late goals from forward Gonzalo Higuain.
Four minutes later, Chile doubled their lead. Sanchez’s second yellow was just one of nine Aguilar doled out on an evening he won’t remember as the peak of his career as an official.
The victor advances to the final, where it will be cast as the underdog since Argentina beat has already beaten Chile in this tournament and beat Colombia in Colombia in World Cup qualifying last November.
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The one excuse of course would be Alexis Sanchez and Chile, which have gotten better and better as this tournament has evolved. His long-distance shot was deflected by the post, but the rebound fell to Fuenzalidaand the winger made things 2-0. Goalkeeper David Ospina had to stop a header on goal in the 66th minute.
