Monday, July 18, 2011

Colombia 0-2 Peru | Copa América match report

Peru Peruvian midfielder Juan Vargas celebrates after making it 2-0 against Colombia, Photograph: Antonio Scorza/AFP/Getty Images

Carlos Lobaton and Juan Vargas scored in extra time to help unfancied Peru beat Colombia 2-0 and reach the semi-finals of the Copa America for the first time since 1983.

Peru, who qualified from their group as the best third-placed team, will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Argentina and Uruguay, and will be hopeful of pulling off another shock. Colombia dominated much of the match and even missed a penalty in the 66th minute, Radamel Falcao firing wide of the left post after Alberto Rodriguez's foul on Dayro Moreno.

Colombia started the brighter of the two sides and created several opportunities. Abel Aguilar shot wide early on, before Falcao struck a shot over the bar just after the half-hour mark. Raul Fernandez also had to dive bravely at Falcao's feet to deny the dangerous striker.

Peru gradually came back into the match, and forced Luis Martinez into his first save after 34 minutes, the Colombian goalkeeper tipping aside Vargas's effort from 20 yards. However, at the start of the second half, Colombia had several chances to take the lead, not least when Falcao missed his penalty. Moreno went even closer, only for his fierce drive to hit the bar.

Colombia did not have it all their own way, though, and needed Martinez to push over Adan Balbin's dipping shot from 25 yards. Even so, they still could have avoided extra time when Fredy Guarin beat two Peru defenders and forced Fernandez into a good save.

Having survived that scare, Peru took full advantage in extra time. After 102 minutes they were gifted the opener when Martinez came to collect a free-kick by Vargas, only to spill it at the feet of Lobaton, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Ten minutes later, with Colombia pressing for an equaliser, striker Guerrero took possession in a counterattack and passed to Vargas, who rifled the ball home to seal a famous victory for Peru.


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