MATCH 07 REPORT : COLOMBIA WIN AT THE DEATH AGAIN AND QUALIFY

As in the first match, Colombia scored the winner at the death and secured a victory by the odd goal. With a strike by Edixon Perea on 90 minutes, the current Copa América champions beat Bolivia 1-nil and qualified to the quarterfinals of the Copa América.

The match saw few opportunities and was an even affair. In the first half, both teams created two chances and deserved the stalemate. The first Bolivian opportunity came on 19 minutes, with Limberg Gutiérrez taking a free-kick and coming close to Henao¿s goal. Colombia hit back with a carbon-copy play, with Sergio Herrero striking from a deadball, on 33 minutes. The same minute, the Bolivians lost midfielder Luis Cristaldo to injury. He was replaced by Walter Flores. The midfielder added creativity to Ramiro Blacut´s team, who went forward with authority on 41 minutes, as Roland Arana unleashed a powerdriver from outside the box.

In the second half, Colombia returned with the better of the exchanges and on 49 minutes, David Ferreira almost broke the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the area. Keeper Leonardo Fernández, who played brilliantly in the opening match, was equal to the effort. Soon after, on 12 and 14 minutes, Colombian Tressor Moreno nearly opened the scoring with two powerful strikes. Ramiro Blacut´s frontmen were unable to threaten Henao´s goal. Moreover, Mercado and Botero were caught offside 5 times. At the very end, Colombia finally found the opener. Midfielder Edixon Perea meeting an Elkin Murillo cross to head in the winner and qualify the Colombians.

Colombia: Juan Carlos Henao, Gonzalo Martínez, Andrés Gonzalez, Arley Dinas and Gustavo Victoria; Abel Aguilar (Jhon Viáfara 40/2); Oscar Díaz, Jairo Patiño and David Ferreira (Edixon Perea 33/2); Tressor Moreno (Elkin Murillo 25/2) and Sergio Herrera. Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Bolivia: Leonardo Fernandez; Sergio Jaúregui, Ronald Arana, Ronald Raldes and Lorgio Alvarez; Luis Cristaldo (Walter Flores 33/1), Limbert Pizarro, Rubén Tufiño and Limberg Gutiérrez; Miguel Mercado (Roger Suárez 20/2) and Joaquín Botero. Coach: Ramiro Blacut

Venue: Estádio Nacional, em Lima (PER)

Referee: Pedro Ramos (ECU)

Assistant Referees: Fernando Tamayo (ECU) and Francisco Rocchio (ARG)

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