Peru 0 (2), Colombia 0 (4) | Copa America Centenario Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

Colombia prevailed in the second quarterfinal of the Copa America Centenario at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday, as they outlasted Peru in a penalty shootout by a 4-2 margin after 90 minutes of scoreless soccer.

After the teams converted the first four penalties in the shootout, Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina saved Miguel Trauco's attempt, which was then followed in the next round by Cristian Cueva's attempt going over the goal, which clinched the result for Los Cafeteros.

The game was by turns chippy, calculated and wide open, and overall the sides stood equal on the night, although Colombia had nearly all of the shots in the match.

Colombia star James Rodriguez nearly scored the opener 21 minutes in, as his effort from range bounced off the bottom of the post, with Peru's defense quickly recovering after that.

Shortly after the break, it appeared Peru's Renato Tapia brought down Colombian forward Carlos Bacca in the box, but no foul was called on the play and the game remained scoreless.

Ospina had a game-saving save in stoppage time for Colombia to deny Christian Ramos' header off a corner kick.

And in accordance with Copa America rules, at the end of 90 minutes, the quarterfinal-round game did not go to 30 minutes of extra time, but instead went directly to a penalty shootout.

Box Score

No goals
Penalties - COL - James Rodriguez (make); Juan Cuadrado (make); Dayro Moreno (make); Sebastian Perez (make)
Penalties - PER - Raul Ruidiaz (make); Renato Tapia (make); Miguel Trauco (saved); Cristian Cueva (miss)
Full box score
Stats

Three Things

OSPINA'S IMPACT:
The Arsenal 'keeper didn't have much to do through 90 minutes, but the two key interventions he had late in the game, first with his stoppage-time save and then to stop Trauco's penalty, essentially made the difference on the night. One figures he will get a few extra pats on the back from his teammates in helping deliver the semifinal berth to Colombia.

COLOMBIA BOUNCE BACK (SORT OF): A penalty shootout win is still a win, and Colombia will likely have plenty of momentum for their semifinal game ahead. But after losing their early mojo in the tournament with the surprise 3-2 loss to Costa Rica to conclude group play, Colombia still struggled to unlock Peru. That should give their upcoming semifinal opponent plenty of confidence.

TOUGH BREAK FOR PERU: On the other hand, Peru played the favored Colombians very well. Despite their inability to test Ospina throughout the night, they were compact and shared possession throughout the game. And the flipside of a penalty shootout win is the crushing blow of taking it to penalties and then losing. Peru will not reach the semifinals for the third consecutive Copa America tournament, but all things considered they acquitted themselves well in this edition.