Chile defeats Colombia to advance to Copa America final

Chile increased their lead just four minutes later when Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez wriggled free from the attentions of a defender and smashed a low shot off the inside of the post.

Fans are asked to seek shelter inside the stadium because of severe weather during the Copa America semifinal between Colombia and Chile.

Former Chelsea midfielder Cuadrado misdirected a header across his own goal straight to Charles Aranguiz and the Leverkusen midfielder had the straightforward task of sidefooting past David Ospina.

The start of the second half was delayed by more than two hours as a storm rained down on Soldier Field, but Chile had already done most of the hard work early in the first half.

Colombia, who will face the United States in the third-place play-off on Saturday in Arizona, also had to play with 10 men for over half an hour after Carlos Sanchez received his second yellow card in the 57th minute.

Juan Antonio Pizzi was forced into two changes from Chile’s big win over Mexico in the quarterfinals, with the suspended Arturo Vidal and injured Marcelo Diaz replaced by Pablo Hernandez and Francisco Silva in the midfield.

Bravo came up big again to deny Santiago Arias shortly after, before producing another stunning save to keep Chile ahead going into the half-time break.

The defending champions advanced to a repeat of last year’s final against Argentina on Sunday after a whirlwind start left Colombia chasing the game.