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A first half goal from Carlos Bacca was enough for Colombia to clinch third place in the Copa America Centenario after a scrappy, but entertaining game against the United States.
The victory ensured Colombia their best finish in 15 years since victory in the 2001 tournament, while the United States equaled their previous record of fourth place.
A red card for each team in stoppage time characterised what was a largely niggly affair, with both teams determined to finish the tournament on a high.
After a relatively stodgy start, the game came to life in the 30th minute with a beautifully worked team goal from the Colombians finished off by AC Milan forward Bacca.
Colombia’s only goal of the knockout phase showcased some exquisite passing, topped off by James Rodriquez’s deft chip through to right-back Santiago Arias on the byline, who squared a header into the center of the box for Bacca to slide in.
The United States responded immediately with a handful of good chances before the break, but failed to test David Opsina’s goal.
Jürgen Klinsmann’s men started the second half equally well, with a fantastic free-kick from Clint Dempsey forcing an even better save from Ospina that denied the US an equaliser.
Dempsey’s strike looked to be curling into the top-right corner, but a superb one-handed save from the Arsenal keeper tipped the ball over the bar.
A much improved tempo and greater openness saw a number of efforts for both teams, with Booby Woods coming closest for the States’ with a shot against the post, while Rodriguez dragged a volley wide for Colombia.
A moment of brilliance from Juan Cuadrado almost secured the game for Colombia, and one of the goals of the tournament at the same time.
After a fluent passing move reminiscent of their first-half goal, Cuadrado received the ball on the edge of the box and chipped a delightful shot over a stranded Tim Howard only to hit the underside of the crossbar.
The game descended into a tense and volatile scrap in the final ten minutes with the United States pushing for an equaliser and Colombia attempting to run the clock down.
Jürgen Klinsmann’s pregame comments, that the United States had been ‘too nice’ against Argentina in their uninspiring semi-final loss, may have been taken too much to heart by defender Michael Orozco, as he was sent off for pushing Arias in the face in stoppage time.
The Colombian right-back also received his marching orders for the same altercation, ensuring that both sides finished the game a man down.
Despite the victory, Colombia may leave the competition with mixed emotions after some varied performances and having never really reached top gear.
A good start to the group with wins against the United States and Paraguay was soured slightly with team changes and a loss to Costa Rica, followed by a close penalty shootout victory against Peru.
Colombia could count themselves unlucky after two early goals from Chile, a bizarre rain delay and a sending off in the semi-final, but ultimately they never quite got off the mark in a game that saw Chile as deserved winners.
For the United States the home tournament will no doubt be considered a success.
Despite a second loss of the tournament to Colombia, it was a much improved performance after their hopeless efforts against Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Two good group performances after their first game loss, and a clinical finishing display against Ecuador in the quarter-finals will go some way to repairing the disappointment after last year’s Gold Cup semi-final exit to Jamaica.
Copa América Centenario will conclude today with the highly-anticipated final between Argentina and reigning holders Chile.
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