David Ospina and Lionel Messi guided Colombia (COL) and Argentina (ARG), respectively, into Copa America 2021 semi-finals. Colombia overcame 2011 champions Uruguay (URU) 2-4 in the penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation time. Meanwhile, Argentina overpowered Ecuador (ECU) 3-0 to reach a fourth successive Copa America semi-finals.
Here’s a recap of the action from Copa America 2021 matchday 12.
URU vs COL
Uruguay’s dreams of a first semi-final spot since 2011 ended after defeat to Colombia in penalties. Both teams failed to find the back of the net during the 90 minutes. In the penalty shoot-out, Colombia converted all their spot-kicks, and Ospina managed to stop two penalties.
Uruguay failed to spark in the opening 45 minutes as they gave away possession cheaply a couple of times. However, Colombia couldn’t capitalize on the mistakes made by the Uruguay backline. Duvan Zapata threatened from the left flank and had an attempt saved by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The rebound was hammered wide of the goal by Luis Muriel. Also, Zapata had his acrobatic header cleared away from danger by Diego Godin.
Both teams found a little bit of rhythm in the second half. Uruguay had their first real chance when Davinson Sanchez blocked Federico Valverde’s goal-bound effort. Ospina pulled off a brilliant one-handed save to deny Nahitan Nandez’s effort. Meanwhile, Zapata drew an excellent save from Muslera, and the 30-year-old also headed wide from a close range. The match went to penalties after it ended 0-0 at full-time.
Ospina denied Jose Maria Gimenez and Matias Vina in the penalty shoot-out. Colombia converted all four spot-kicks, and Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez were the only players who found the target for Uruguay in the penalties.
Goalscorers: URU – none; COL – none
Assists: URU – none; COL – none
Top Five Fantasy Points scorers: D Ospina (9.5 pts), W Tesillo (9.5 pts), D Munoz Mejia (9.5 pts), F Muslera (9.5 pts), Y Mina (9 pts)
ARG vs ECU
Messi put on a show yet again to put Argentina into the semi-finals of the Copa America 2021. The skipper assisted two goals and found the net with a beautiful free-kick in the second-half stoppage time. Argentina, who has now won four games in a row, will meet Colombia for a place in the final.
Much like their previous matches in the tournament, Argentina controlled the game in the first half. German Pezzella saw his attempt from around 12 yards go wide of goal, while Messi was unlucky not to draw the first blood after the woodwork came to Ecuador’s aid. At the other end, Enner Valencia and Alan Franco spurned a glorious chance. Diego Palacios sent a teasing ball into the box from the left flank, but both the players couldn’t poke the ball home.
With five minutes left for half-time, Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galíndez charged off his line and denied Nicolas Gonzalez, who was through on goal. But Messi pounced on the rebound and squared the ball to Rodrigo De Paul, who tapped it into the net to make it 1-0. It was the 11th straight game Argentina managed to score a goal in the first half.
Argentina went in search of the all-important second goal after the break. But Ecuador came close to an equalizer after Emiliano Martinez denied Valencia, and Gonzalez almost headed the ball into his own goal. Lautaro Martinez ended Ecuador’s hopes after making it 2-0 in the 84th minute. Angel Di Maria dispossessed Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie to help Messi square the ball to Martinez.
The PSG midfielder was yet again in the thick of things after being fouled at the edge of the box. Hincapie received a straight red card, and Messi lined up to take the freekick. He dispatched the ball into the top corner, with the Ecuador custodian unable to keep it out.
Goalscorers: ARG – R De Paul, L J Martinez, L Messi; ECU – none
Assists: ARG – L Messi (2); ECU – none
Top Five Fantasy Points scorers: L Messi (20.5 pts), R De Paul (14.5 pts), L J Martinez (11 pts), N Molina (8 pts), G Pezzella (8 pts)
Parameswaran Sankaranarayanan
Parameswaran Sankaranarayan is a sports enthusiast who has worked in print, website, and other digital platforms. He was part of the editorial team of first-ever Indian football-based website - IndianFootball.com (now defunct) - and passionately follows the latest happenings in world football. During his time as a journalist, he had the opportunity to interact with some of the iconic personalities in Indian sports and witness some memorable moments in Indian football.
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