A two-goal blitz inside the first ten minutes has ensured Chile’s passage through to the Copa America final despite a lengthy weather delay.
Chicago’s Soldier Field was inundated with rain during the half-time break which led to a two and a half hour delay before play could resume.
Chile will meet Argentina in Monday’s final, guaranteeing that the tournament’s two best teams face off again for a second time in two years.
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s men flew out of the blocks with their typical high tempo passing and pressing game, looking dangerous on both wings.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aránguiz found the net first, slotting the ball through David Ospina’s legs on the half volley after being put through by a terrible attempted clearing header from Juan Cuadrado.
The Chileans were on the scoresheet again just three minutes later. Alexis Sanchez out muscled and turned his defender on the left side of the box, rifling a shot into the near post only for José Fuenzalida to tap in the easiest of finishes.
Colombia managed to wrestle themselves back into the game during the second period of the half, testing Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo on a number of occasions.
But luck was not on the side of the Colombians, with the half-time break coming during their brightest period of play.
Unfortunately, the extended rain delay during half-time scuppered what was an entertaining and highly energetic match, turning the Chicago pitch into a virtual swimming pool.
Colombia’s game went from bad to worse in the second half, with a good penalty shout waved away shortly after the restart followed by a second yellow to Carlos Sanchez which ensured they played the remaining 30 minutes with ten men.
With the result all but assured, a scrappy and increasingly fiery duel played out on the waterlogged pitch.
Chile will be relieved to go into the final suspension-free despite five yellow cards, and will welcome back Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal who was suspended for the semi-final.
The current holders will go into Monday’s final with Argentina as underdogs after already having lost to Argentina in the first round of tournament, but will be buoyed by their triumph in last year’s final.
However, 15 goals in their last four games since the defeat to Argentina, including a 7-0 thrashing of in-form Mexico in the quarter-finals, will surely bolster Chile’s confidence.
Their high tempo game on and off the ball will no doubt create more problems for the talent-rich Argentina squad than the hapless display offered up by the United States.
Monday morning’s final is sure to be a fiery affair, with the Chileans always offering up an aggressiveness to match their passion and skill.
A second Copa victory in as many years would be a huge coup for Chile, but could well prove disastrous for Argentina should they fail to break their recent major tournament hoodoo.
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