Argentina reached the semi-finals of the Copa America on Friday, defeating Colombia 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a fiercely contested match finished 0-0 at full-time. Former Juventus striker Carlos Tevez was the hero for Argentina, stepping up to ram home the decisive sudden-death penalty after Colombia’s Jeison Murillo had blazed over the bar to give the favorites the initiative.
Tevez’s penalty was the final twist to a dramatic shootout, which saw Lucas Biglia and Marcos Rojo both miss kicks for Argentina that would have sealed victory.
Defeat was cruel on Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, who had single-handedly kept his side in the contest with a series of superb saves during 90 minutes to frustrate the tournament favorites. Argentina had earlier dominated a one-sided first half, which at times threatened to spiral out of control with both sides committing a series of petty fouls that went unpunished by Mexican referee Roberto Garcia.
Photo: AP
Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore was the first to threaten, touching on a low cross from Angel di Maria that was cleared at the near post by the Colombian cover after only seven minutes.
Three minutes later, captain Lionel Messi swept forward and released Di Maria in space only for the Manchester United attacker to shoot tamely at Ospina.
Colombia star James Rodriguez became the first of six players to receive a caution in the opening 45 minutes when he was booked for dissent.
By halftime, three more Colombians — Santiago Arias, Alexander Mejia and Juan Cuadrado — had earned yellow cards.
For Argentina, both Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero were booked. The highlight of the half was an incredible double save by Ospina in the 26th minute.
Ospina, whose future at Arsenal is now uncertain following the club’s signing of Petr Cech this week, reminded Gunners manager Arsene Wenger of his ability to thwart Aguero and Messi in quick succession. A low cross from the right from Pastore picked out Aguero whose shot was saved by Ospina’s legs.
Messi seemed certain to score from the rebound as the ball looped into his path, but Ospina somehow recovered in time to parry the Argentina captain’s header over the bar.
Ospina was pressed into action once again shortly before halftime, blocking what would have been a spectacular own goal from Cristian Zapata after the defender inadvertently volleyed Di Maria’s cross.
Five minutes later, tempers flared when Cuadrado was lucky to stay on the pitch after a rash challenge on Rojo, which somehow failed to earn him a second yellow card.
Argentina’s bench were furious at the decision, with assistant manager Jorge Pautasso sent to the stands after angrily remonstrating with the fourth official.
Ospina saved Colombia again with another remarkable diving save to tip Nicolas Otamendi’s shot onto the post in the 80th minute.
However, Ospina was unable to reproduce his heroics in the shootout as Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Ever Banega and Ezequiel Lavezzi all drilled in their first four penalties.
Luis Muriel’s miss for Colombia gave Biglia the chance to clinch it, but the Lazio defender shot wide.
The next three penalties were all missed, leaving Tevez, who signed for Boca Juniors this week, to slam home the winner.
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