Copa America: Chile beat Colombia to set up final clash against Argentina

The result takes Chile into a mouth-watering final against Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.

The defending champions will battle Argentina for the title in a repeat of last year’s final.

Argentina thrashed hosts USA in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

Colombia’s loss sends them to Glendale, Arizona on Saturday for the Third Place Match against the United States.

However, the second half was delayed by almost three hours after the stadium was drenched with rain. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.theeagleonline.com.ng as the source.

The Chileans had roared into a two-goal lead to leave Colombia reeling inside the first 11 minutes.

First came Charles Aranguiz’s goal in the seventh minute.

The Colombian forwardline, on the other hand, were off-colour and did not look too threatening, specially in the second half. The ball was headed down by Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado in an attempt to clear, but it came to Aranguiz who slotted under Colombia ‘keeper David Ospina with a close-range finish. The rebound fell kindly for an unmarked Fuenzalida who made no mistake.

Colombia striker Roger Martinez forced a smart save from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo in the 24th minute and nine minutes later the Barcelona stopper was pressed into action again when Arias advanced into the area and shot.

The second half of the game was delayed due to bad weather conditions in Chicago.

Colombia’s chances of a comeback were diminished when midfielder Carlos Sanchez was sent off in the 57th minute for his second yellow card of the match, leaving Los Cafeteros with 10 players for the duration of the match.