James Rodriguez propels Colombia into semi-finals

A confident Colombia cruised into the semi-finals of the Copa America with an impressive 5-0 win over Panama on Saturday, setting up a meeting with Uruguay in the semi-finals.

James Rodriguez delivered another classy performance for Colombia, creating two goals and scoring a penalty as Panama were put under pressure.

Colombia, now unbeaten in 27 matches, will face Uruguay in Charlotte on Wednesday after Marcelo Bielsa’s side beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties on Saturday after a goalless game.

The other semi-final, on Tuesday in New Jersey, will see world champion Argentina face surprise contender Canada.

Colombia took the lead in the eighth minute when Jhon Cordoba showed great strength to resist his marker and head home from Rodriguez’s corner.

Seven minutes later, Rodriguez converted the penalty after Jhon Arias burst into the area and was brought down by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

Panama, who qualified from the group stage after beating the United States in the group stage, were desperate to gain a foothold in the game and came close when Roderick Miller headed home from Eric Davis’ cross.

But four minutes before the break, Colombia put the game out of reach for the Central Americans when Rodriguez showed great intelligence in taking a quick free-kick from his own half, lifting the ball over Luis Diaz.

The Liverpool winger raced towards goal and, with Mosquera stuck in no man’s land, produced a magnificent lob to make it 3-0.

Colombia kept control of the game after the break and added a fourth goal in the 70th minute through a 25-yard strike from Richard Rios.

Daniel Munoz looked set to be brought down in the box but before the referee could blow his whistle, Rios pounced on the loose ball and fired home.

In added time, Panamanian defender Jose Cordoba collided with Santiago Arias in the area and, with Rodriguez replaced, Miguel Borja converted the penalty to complete the rout.

Rodriguez has had a mixed club career but has been outstanding in this tournament, rediscovering the kind of form he showed when he first emerged on the world stage at the World Cup in Brazil a decade ago.

The 32-year-old’s inventive passing and deft touches have added class to a team that has plenty of pace and solid organisation.
Committed to the goal“It was a tough game despite the result. They are strong, but we came in very well, we were able to score goals early and that allowed us to control the game,” said Rodriguez, who now plays in Brazil for Sao Paulo. “Let’s hope we can reach the final, we all want that. We are all going through a good period and that’s good. We have a very good team, all committed to the objective, and we will see what awaits us in the semi-finals.”

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said the scoreline was harsh on his team but said they must remember their exploits at the tournament as they turn their attention to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

“The result was excessive from my point of view. But the mistakes we made cannot be made against teams of the quality of Colombia, with its speed, its intensity and the moment it is living,” he said. “I am honestly satisfied with the performance of the players, it is not the result we wanted or deserved, but we must learn from it.

“I am proud of my players… we must congratulate them for this beautiful Copa America, which did not end as we would have liked, but it is also a learning experience,” he said.

sev/bb