Participant scores as James Rodriguez and Colombia keep unbeaten after emphatic quarter-final win
Colombia defeated Panama 5-0 within the Copa America 2024 quarter-finals, extending their unbeaten streak to 27 video games and punching their ticket to the match’s semifinals.
Colombia got here into Copa America 2024 because the darkish horses of the competitors, however Los Cafeteros proved they’re true contenders after ending atop Group D whereas Brazil, the fourth ranked group on the planet, settled for second. The final time Nestor Lorenzo’s squad misplaced a match was again in February 2022, and James Rodriguez and co. seemed to proceed their spectacular run of kind towards Panama within the quarter-finals.
How the sport unfolded
As quickly because the match kicked off, Colombia had their sights set on objective, and it solely took Los Cafeteros seven minutes to attain. James Rodriguez swung in a pinpoint nook that landed proper on the top of Jhon Cordoba, who didn’t miss from 5 yards out.
Regardless of their early 1-0 lead, the Group D winners didn’t take their foot off the fuel. Within the thirteenth minute, Jhon Arias broke free and made an electrical run into the field; Orlando Mosquera got here off his line and dove for the ball, however as a substitute, he solely made contact with Arias, awarding Colombia a penalty. Rodriguez stepped up and emphatically buried the shot to place his facet up 2-0.
Panama regrouped after giving up two early targets, however Los Canaleros couldn’t discover the again of the online. Then, simply earlier than halftime, Rodriguez took a fast free kick from his personal half, catching Panama’s protection without warning. He performed a superb ball excessive of Panama’s backline that put Luis Diaz by on objective, and the Liverpool man cleverly chipped it over Mosquera for the 3-0 lead.
To no shock, Colombia dominated the second half, keen so as to add to the scoreline. What appeared like an inevitable fourth objective got here within the seventieth minute. Daniel Munoz seemed to attract a penalty after Jovani Welch made a poor deal with contained in the field, however the referee performed the benefit, permitting Richard Rios to bury a robust strike from distance previous Mosquera.
With the sport wrapped up, Nestor Lorenzo gave his bench enjoying time for the ultimate 20 minutes. Santiago Arias was the sufferer of a harsh collision within the field, leaving the referee no alternative however to whistle for a penalty within the ninety fifth minute. Miguel Borja made no mistake from the spot, ending Colombia’s storybook evening with a fifth objective.
GK: Camilo Vargas – 6/10 – Vargas stored his second clear sheet of the match, dealing with 14 complete pictures.
RB: Daniel Munoz – 7/10 – Munoz used his physicality to reduce Panama’s menace within the remaining third. The appropriate-back additionally contributed to the assault, helping Rios’ objective.
CB: Davinson Sanchez – 6/10 – Sanchez made a number of essential clearances within the first half to maintain Panama off the scoresheet, and efficiently locked down Eduardo Guerrero within the second half.
CB: Carlos Cuesta – 6/10 – Cuesta didn’t put a foot flawed at the moment, working effectively with Sanchez to maintain Panama scoreless.
LB: Johan Mojica – 6/10 – Mojica did his job tonight with little fanfare. The left-back was stable on protection and linked up effectively with Luis Diaz.
CM: Richard Rios – 7/10 – Rios was in all places tonight, pitching in defensively after which simply as shortly transitioning to the assault. The midfielder received rewarded for his exhausting work with a objective within the second half.
CM: Mateus Uribe – 6/10 – Uribe tracked again effectively on protection when known as upon, however in any other case, the midfielder had a quiet evening.
CM: Jhon Arias – 7/10 – Arias used his velocity to use Panama’s backline, successful the penalty that might double Colombia’s lead within the first half.
RW: James Rodriguez – 8/10 – Rodriguez continues to be Colombia’s most impactful participant, recording two assists tonight and scoring from the spot. His set piece deliveries are second to none.
ST: Jhon Cordoba – 7/10 – Cordoba scored his second objective of the match to get Colombia on the scoresheet simply eight minutes into the match.
LW: Luis Diaz – 7/10 – A couple of heavy touches let Diaz down early within the match, however the winger bounced again and scored a peach of a objective simply earlier than the half.
Substitutes
SUB: Luis Sinisterra – 5/10 – Sinisterra performed essentially the most minutes of any of the substitutes, however completed the sport with little to indicate for it.
SUB: Jorge Carrascal – 5/10 – Carrascal got here on to certain up the midfield and assist keep Colombia’s lead after Arias (after which Rodriguez) have been subbed off.
SUB: Santiago Arias – 5/10 – Arias was sloppy in possession and dedicated quite a few fouls, however he received Colombia’s second penalty.
SUB: Juan Quintero – 5/10 – Quintero got here on within the 73rd minute, however didn’t make an impression.
SUB: Miguel Borja – 6/10 – Borja did effectively to search out area within the remaining third, however poor touches let him down. He redeemed himself when he buried a penalty within the ninety fifth minute.
Supervisor
Nestor Lorenzo – 8/10 – Nestor Lorenzo continues to guide Colombia on their historic unbeaten streak. Though the Group D winners anticipated to win tonight, they did so in a dominant vogue that made a press release with the world watching. Lorenzo continues to place his belief in James Rodriguez, and the midfielder retains delivering.
As managers around the globe proceed to make headlines for all of the flawed causes, Lorenzo constantly units his group as much as play on the entrance foot.
