Miami, Florida, will be a sea of sky blue and bright yellow at the 2024 Copa America final on Sunday, after 10 men from Colombia beat Uruguay 1-0 in the second semifinal on Wednesday, setting up an iconic clash with 15-time champions Argentina.
[ MORE: Copa America schedule, bracket ]
Jefferson Lerma scored the game’s only goal in the 39th minute, as the Crystal Palace midfielder rose highest at the back post and headed home James Rodriguez’s sixth assist this tournament. The joy was short-lived for Colombia, though, as they didn’t quite make it to halftime with 11 players still on the field. Defender Daniel Muñoz elbowed Manuel Ugarte in the midsection and was sent off in stoppage time.
Still, Colombia created a pair of golden scoring chances in the final minutes of the second half, and should have taken a 2-0 advantage while a man down. The closest that Uruguay came to scoring was Luis Suarez’s shot in the 71st minute, when he hit the post from the top of the box shortly after coming into the game.
Uruguay vs Colombia player ratings
Uruguay vs Colombia highlights, updates, final score: 0-1
Goalscorers: Jefferson Lerma (39')
RED CARD: Daniel Munoz whacks Manuel Ugarte with an elbow to the midsection
What was Daniel Muñoz thinking here? 😵💫 pic.twitter.com/v0Xjhe1i7D
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
GOAL: Uruguay 0-1 Colombia - James Rodriguez tees up Jefferson Lerma with his 6th assist at Copa America
COLOMBIA SCORES THE OPENING GOAL 🇨🇴
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
James Rodríguez ➡️ Daniel Muñoz 🔥 pic.twitter.com/R5tepmQzRa
COLOMBIA FOUND THE OPENER OFF THE SET PIECE 🇨🇴
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
James Rodríguez set this up perfectly for Jefferson Lerma 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RtpIcU6j8I
Uruguay starting lineup
Rochet - Caceres, Gimenez, Ugarte, Olivera - Bentancur, Valverde, Pellistri, Araujo - de la Cruz, Nunez
Colombia starting lineup
Vargas - Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica - Rios, Lerma, Rodriguez - Arias, Diaz, Cordoba
How to watch Uruguay vs Colombia, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8pm ET, Wednesday (July 10)
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Uruguay focus, team news
Barcelona defender Ronaldo Araujo suffered a muscular injury during the first half against Brazil and is expected to be out for at least six weeks, ending his Copa America early. The 25-year-old started all Uruguay’s first four games.
Colombia focus, team news
The big story is the return of Big Tournament James Rodriguez, who has assisted five of Colombia’s 10 goals thus far (to go with the one he scored himself). Defender Jhon Lucumi remains an injury doubt after picking up a knock early in the group-stage opener.