Watch: Crystal Palace's Jefferson Lerma sinks Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay at Copa America

Colombia are through to the final of Copa America 2024 thanks to a headed goal from Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

Several Premier League players were front and centre on a dramatic evening as Colombia set up a meeting with world champions Argentina.

Watch as James Rodriguez's whipped corner is misjudged by Uruguay goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, allowing Lerma to head the winner as Nestor Lorenzo's side dumped Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay out of the tournament.

 

 

Uruguay made a positive start to the match with Darwin Nunez missing three clear-cut chances to fire his side into an early lead.

At the other end, Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur did a fine job of man-marking James Rodriguez and denying Colombia's creator in chief time and space.

Things took a sour turn in the 30th minute when Bentancur was clattered by a teammate. He attempted to soldier on but was replaced by Guillermo Varela.

The tide was already turning by that point, with Luis Diaz finding himself increasingly free on the left side.

Nester Lorenzo’s side was applying constant pressure by the time Lerma rose highest to send more than 40,000 Colombians at a packed Bank of America stadium into raptures.

That wasn’t the final twist of an incredibly physical first half. From one Palace player to another, Daniel Munoz saw red for a second yellow card after elbowing Manuel Ugarte.

Uruguay dominated 70% of possession in the second half as Luis Suarez and Fede Valverde missed chances before Bournemouth’s Luis Sinisterra nearly set up the killer goal in the 94th minute.

Los Cafeteros defended for their lives through seven minutes of additional time, which culminated in Lerma trying his luck from deep inside his half.

Colombia will face Argentina in the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

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