This is set to be the highlight of the semifinals, especially after Colombia's impressive performance against Brazil. Now, the burning questions: who will face Argentina in the final? And who will battle for third place against Canada?
Honestly, Group C and Group D have made this side of Copa América the toughest. The winner of this match has truly earned their place in the final against the world champions. The same goes for the team fighting for third place. These groups have spawned two giants.
No matter who triumphs between Uruguay and Colombia, both will be worthy finalists. There’s no underdog in this match - just two hungry wolves ready to give everything for victory.
Both teams have maintained unbeaten records in the competition so far. Uruguay has kept three clean sheets in four games, while Colombia boasts two.
But this match presents a whole new challenge for both teams!
Uruguay maintained a flawless record in the group stage, netting nine goals across three matches. However, they faced their first scoreless draw of the tournament in the quarterfinal clash against Brazil, which ended goalless after regulation time.
Marcelo Bielsa's intellect is renowned, yet the challenge posed by Colombia in the semifinals might surpass even his strategic prowess. Dubbed "the mad professor," Bielsa surely devoted extensive brainpower to deciphering how Uruguay can upset this formidable opponent. Despite Uruguay's impressive run, the match increasingly evokes a "David and Goliath" narrative.
Uruguay ranks as the second-highest scorers in Copa America 2024, averaging 2.25 goals per game, and have suffered just two defeats in 18 matches since the 2022 World Cup.
La Celeste have tallied 13 goals in their last five international outings.
Defensively solid, Uruguay has secured clean sheets in six of their last seven competitive fixtures.
Right-back Nandez will miss the semifinal due to suspension following his red card in the quarterfinals, with Guillermo Varela expected to step in as his replacement.
URUGUAY predicted lineup vs Colombia: Rochet (GK); Varela, Gimenez, Olivera, Vina; Valverde, Ugarte; Pellistri, De la Cruz, Varela; Nunez.
Colombia! What transpired? How did it come about? When exactly did this occur? These questions abound, and one answer lies in the resurgence of James Rodríguez, who, reminiscent of his peak during the 2014 World Cup where he won the Golden Boot and subsequently moved to Real Madrid, rediscovered his form. Against Brazil, he rightly earned the Man of the Match accolade without scoring, yet his exquisite footballing display made it appear as if he had a twin on the pitch - he was everywhere!
But there are more remarkable feats to highlight:
Six of Colombia's last seven matches have seen over 2.5 goals scored!
James Rodriguez, Jhon Cordoba, Luis Diaz, Richard Rios, and Miguel Borja all played pivotal roles in a resounding 5-0 victory in Arizona, where Nestor Lorenzo's squad either matched or set multiple national team records, including their largest-ever margin of victory in a Copa America match.
Although Colombia's 10-match winning streak was halted by a 1-1 draw against Brazil in the final group stage game, it represents a minor blemish in their recent record, as they have now reached the semi-finals in three of the last four Copa Americas.
COLOMBIA predicted lineup vs Uruguay: Vargas (GK); Munoz, Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica; Rios, Lerma; J. Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Cordoba.
The two teams have faced each other 45 times across all competitions. Uruguay holds the advantage with 20 wins, while Colombia follows closely with 14 victories, and 11 matches have ended in draws.
Colombia remains undefeated in their last three encounters against the 2011 champions. Their most recent meeting was a 2-2 draw during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in October.
In the Copa America, they have clashed 12 times, with only one match ending in a draw. La Celeste leads with 6 wins to Colombia's 5 victories.
At the beginning of the tournament, I had put all my chips on Uruguay to win this semifinal. However, after witnessing Colombia top their group with a crucial draw against Brazil, where a 2-1 victory was closer to Colombia than Brazil, and then thrash Panama 5-0, expectations are high for Colombia. They've impressed me so much that instead of playing it safe with a draw prediction, I'm confident enough in their performance to boldly pick Colombia as the winners.
Four of the last five games between Uruguay and Colombia have ended in draws after 90 minutes, with the most recent being an entertaining 2-2 draw in World Cup qualifying last October.
But this is a new Colombia!
If my prediction holds true, Colombia will be a major threat to Argentina in the final.
Get ready for a thrill!
URUGUAY v COLOMBIA
12.00
CORRECT SCORE 1-2
URUGUAY v COLOMBIA
12.00
CORRECT SCORE 1-2
