AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca scored the only goal as Colombia defeated the US 1-0 to clinch third place in the Copa America Centenario on Saturday.
Bacca, 29, bundled home the winner on 31 minutes, nudging in from close range to settle a hard-fought contest.
The US, beaten 4-0 by Argentina in the semi-finals on Tuesday, rallied desperately to get back into the game, but ultimately were frustrated by some superb goalkeeping from David Ospina.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann had blamed his side for being “too nice” against Argentina in the semi-finals, when they failed to register a single shot either on or off target.
However, they were unlucky not to score during an entertaining game in Arizona.
Colombia went close to scoring through Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, who was denied by a fine Tim Howard save on 12 minutes.
Rodriguez was the architect for Colombia’s goal, chipping a wonderful pass into the path of Santiago Arias, who headed across the box for Bacca to score.
Seattle Sounders veteran Clint Dempsey, arguably the best US player of the tournament, had another good game, but was unable to add to his Copa tally of three goals and three assists.
Dempsey almost laid on a goal for Hamburg SV’s Bobby Wood, but the Bundesliga-based striker was unable to get his shot away cleanly.
“Ultimately they were clinical,” Klinsmann said of Colombia. “They took their one chance in the first half, we couldn’t take ours. There were enough chances for us to put one in, but we just weren’t clinical enough.”
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care