Copa America: Lerma and Colombia undone in extra-time of Final

Club

15 Jul 2024

The 2024 Copa America tournament came to its conclusion on Monday morning, with Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma and Colombia falling just short against the reigning champions Argentina.

Lautaro Martinez’s strike in the 112nd minute proved to be the difference, as Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0 at Hard Rock Stadium. It marked the first back-to-back Copa America winners since Chile repeated in 2015-16.

Lerma, who has been a consistent starter in Nestor Lorenzo’s squad this summer, played 105 minutes before being substituted at half-time in extra-time. Daniel Muñoz was unfortunately suspended due to a red card in the semi-final.

Colombia came close to scoring in the opening minutes with Jhon Cordoba striking the post from point blank range.

Carlos Cuesta and Lionel Messi both had opportunities saved as the first half pushed forward, before Lerma’s long-range strike was also denied by Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez.

Angel Di Maria was kept out twice by Camilo Vargas as Argentina ramped up the pressure in the final third.

Nicolas Gonzalez and Nicolas Tagliafico were also repelled by the 35-year-old Vargas, who finished with five saves on the evening.

Martinez came off the bench in the early stages of extra time and delivered his fifth goal of the competition. Giovani Lo Celso’s through-ball pass was rifled home by Martinez, who played the hero for Lionel Scaloni’s men.

Colombia’s 27-match unbeaten streak would come to a painful end in Miami Gardens.

Both Lerma and right back Muñoz will now have a break before joining up with the Eagles ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Semi-Final

Colombia’s unbeaten run was extended into the 2024 Copa America final, as Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma was the hero in a 1-0 win over Uruguay.

Lerma’s first-half header proved to be the difference as Nestor Lorenzo’s side defeated Uruguay 1-0 at Bank of America Stadium.

Eagles full-back Daniel Muñoz started the match, but was unfortunately sent off before half-time.

Colombia had the better of the first-half chances, with Lerma delivering the breakthrough goal in the 39th minute.

The midfielder powered a header into the bottom-left corner, for his second goal of the tournament, after getting on the end of James Rodriguez’s corner.

Watch Lerma's goal in the video below!

Uruguay piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, with Nicolas de la Cruz being denied by Camilo Vargas in the second-half.

Luis Suarez came closest to tying the match in the 71st minute, but the veteran forward struck the right post.

Colombia would hang on to extend their unbeaten run to 27 matches across all competitions.

Reigning Copa America and World Cup winners Argentina will await the Colombians in the tournament final on Monday, 15th July (01:00 BST) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Quarter-final

Colombia advanced to the tournament semi-finals after a 5-0 quarter-final victory over Panama on Saturday night. Muñoz started, assisted once and played 73 minutes at right back while Lerma missed the match through suspension.

It was a fast start for Nestor Lorenzo’s men, who needed eight minutes to take a 1-0 advantage. James Rodriguez’s cross was headed home by Jhon Cordoba at the far post.

Rodriguez scored his first goal of the competition in the 15th minute, stepping up from the penalty spot and slotting home. Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera bundled Jhon Arias over in the box, allowing the 32-year-old Rodriguez to score from a spot kick.

Luis Diaz extended Colombia’s lead to 3-0 before halftime, drilling a right-footed shot into the top-right corner. Rodriguez quickly played a restart over the top of the Panama backline, watching as Diaz raced onto the ball and scored.

Richard Rios rifled home Colombia’s fourth goal of the night in the 70th minute. Muñoz was brought down in the box as he played a pass to Rios, but the fullback watched Rios’ effort find the bottom-left corner.

Miguel Borja's stoppage-time penalty kick goal capped the dominant performance from the Colombians.

Colombia extend their unbeaten run to 26 matches in all competitions, ahead of the semi-final clash with Uruguay.

Watch Muñoz's assist in the video below!

Group stages

Muñoz and Lerma both went the distance in Colombia’s 1-1 draw in their final group game with fellow CONMEBOL heavyweights Brazil at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Muñoz delivered the equalising goal for the Colombians after Raphinha propelled Brazil in front after 12 minutes. Lerma delivered a hardworking shift from his regular midfield position.

Raphinha delivered a perfect free kick into the top-right corner for a 1-0 lead. Camilo Vargas tried to deny the Barcelona man but watched as the well-taken strike nestled into the back of the net.

However, Colombia would battle back before halftime as Munoz scored his second goal of the tournament.

Watch Muñoz's goal in the video below!

Luis Diaz’s original effort was saved by Alisson, but a quick move after saw Jhon Cordoba set up Muñoz for a top-drawer finish.

It marked Munoz’s third international goal for Colombia in all competitions.

Both teams continued to trade chances the match went on, but were unable to find a winning goal.

Alisson made five saves for Brazil while also watching James Rodriguez strike the crossbar in the first-half.

Muñoz led all players with four tackles won while Lerma made three interceptions and made two blocks.

It wasn't to be for Chris Richards and the United States, as they were knocked out of the 2024 Copa America with a 1-0 defat to Uruguay in their Group C finale.

The Eagles defender started his third-straight match of the tournament and played the full 90 minutes, but Mathias Olivera’s second-half goal proved to be enough for Uruguay to eliminate the host Americans.

Panama’s 3-1 win over Bolivia also sealed the USMNT’s exit, as Uruguay and the Panamanians finished first and second respectively in Group C.

Olivera’s goal came controversially in the 66th minute as the Napoli defender finished off a rebound in the box. Ronald Araujo’s original header off a set piece was punched away by U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner but Olivera pounced on the rebound for a first-time finish.

VAR checked for a potential offside on Olivera, but the goal proceeded to stand for Uruguay.

Christian Pulisic’s 74th minute shot was headed off the line by Uruguay, keeping the Americans from levelling the match up.

Uruguay hung on to win all three group stage games in Copa America play, sealing their berth into the quarterfinals.

Richards won five individual duels, made four clearances, and four defensive recoveries as he made his fifth appearance of the USMNT’s summer schedule.

He featured in the 2-0 win over Bolivia and the 2-1 defeat to Panama earlier in the group, playing the full 90 minutes in both games.

Earlier on in the group, Colombia secured qualification for the quarter-finals as they topped their group against Costa Rica.

Muñoz continued at right back in Nestor Lorenzo’s squad, logging 90 minutes while Lerma started and played 72 minutes in midfield - helping Colombia defeat Costa Rica 3-0 on Friday evening in Glendale, Arizona.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz scored the opening goal of the match in the 31st minute, stepping up from the penalty spot and slotting home his first goal of the competition.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Patrick Sequeira bundled over Jhon Cordoba in the box, providing Colombia with the spot kick opportunity.

Davinson Sanchez doubled Colombia’s lead in the 59th minute, heading home Jhon Arias’ corner kick into the top-right corner.

After Lerma drew a foul in the 61st minute, James Rodriguez’s ensuing through ball pass was drilled home by Cordoba for a 3-0 Colombia lead they would not let slip away.

The 28-year-old Muñoz was dominant defensively, winning 13 duels, completing six tackles, and making three interceptions in the full 90 minutes

Lerma meanwhile completed over 80% of his passes and made four defensive recoveries and came off after 72 minutes for a well-earned rest.

In Colombia's opening group game, Muñoz and Lerma each scored first-half goals, as Nestor Lorenzo’s side held on for a 2-1 Group D victory over Paraguay. The result extended Colombia’s current unbeaten run to 24 matches and gave them nine-straight wins across all competitions.

The 28-year-old Munoz delivered the breakthrough goal for Colombia in the 32nd minute, heading home captain James Rodriguez’s cross into the bottom-right corner.

Muñoz was not picked up at the back post, racing into the Paraguay box and delivering a powerful header into the ground which Rodrigo Morínigo couldn’t keep out.

Check out his goal in the video below!

It was Muñoz’s second international goal for Colombia this year after scoring his first in a 1-0 friendly victory over Spain last March.

Colombia doubled their lead eight minutes later with Rodriguez once again pulling the strings, this time on a set piece. Rodriguez’s free-kick from the right wing was met by a flying Lerma, who flicked on his header into the bottom-left corner.

The midfielder raced off to celebrate his first international goal since October 2020 - watch it in the video below!

Despite a second-half consolation goal from Paraguay’s Julio Enciso, Colombia would hang on for a crucial three points in their tournament opener.

Munoz logged a full 90 minutes at right back while Lerma was substituted off in the 68th minute.

Match updates kindly provided by Larry Henry Jr.

Three Palace stars at this season's Copa America

Colombia among the favourites to win this year’s competition, Palace duo Lerma and Muñoz have both been named by Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo in his 26-man squad, and will be looking to add to their 41 and 25 caps respectively en route to lifting silverware.

Richards, meanwhile, has also been named in former Palace man Gregg Berhalter’s 26-player squad for this year’s host country, the United States. The 24-year-old has already played 16 times for his country.

All three will play their part in this summer’s tournament – so here’s everything you need to know…

What’s the background to this year's Copa América?

The 2024 tournament will be the 48th edition of the Copa América, which is organised by South America's ruling body CONMEBOL, and will be held between Thursday 20th June and Sunday 14th July.

This year’s competition will be hosted by the United States for the second time – indeed, only the second time the tournament has been held outside of South America – after they previously doing so in 2016.

In that way, it also serves as something of a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, of which the United States are one of three joint hosts.

The hosting selection was also made as part of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL’s new strategic partnership, allowing six CONCACAF guest teams – including Richards and the United States – to qualify through the north American equivalent of the Nations League.

Argentina are the defending champions, having defeated a Colombia team featuring Lerma and Muñoz in the semi-finals en route to overcoming hosts Brazil three years ago. This drew them level with record-holders Uruguay on 15 Copa América victories.

The winner of this year’s tournament will advance to compete in the 2025 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions against the winner of Euro 2024.

How did Colombia and the United States qualify?

All ten CONMEBOL national teams, including Colombia, were eligible to enter automatically.

Perhaps surprisingly, despite hosting the tournament, United States were required to qualify through the recent 2023/24 CONCACAF Nations League – with the four League A quarter-final winners, and two play-in round winners, sealing berths in the competition.

As it turned out, Richards' nation won the competition for the third time in a row back in March, with the Palace man playing every minute of an epic semi-final and final against Jamaica (a 3-1 win after extra-time, having trailed until deep into second-half injury time) and Mexico (a 2-0 victory, sealed by two stunning goals) respectively.

How did both countries prepare for the tournament?

Initially... against each other!

In the first of two warm-up friendlies each, the duo of Muñoz and Lerma's Colombia travelled to the United States and managed to beat Richards' side 5-1 at Commanders Field. All three featured for almost the entire game, with Lerma notching an assist.

This game was contested not too far from where the trio could represent Palace against Wolverhampton Wanderers in pre-season later in July.

Th following week, Richards played a part in a historic 1-1 draw with Brazil at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida in the ‘Allstate Continental Clásico.' Meanwhile Colombia beat Bolivia 3-0 in a fiesty affair.

How were both teams shaping up?

This fearless Colombia team are currently on a 23-match unbeaten run, which dates back to February 2022, and have won 13 of their 18 games under their manager Lorenzo.

Out of those 18 matches, only six were against teams that will not participate in Copa América 2024, a run which has included victories over Spain (against whom Muñoz scored his first international goal, a stunning scissor kick winner, at London Stadium in March) and Germany.

Los Cafeteros have only ever won the competition once in their history, however: the 2001 tournament which they hosted, when Ivan Cordoba netted a second-half winner against Mexico in the final.

Whilst the United States’ recent form has been less consistently dominant, with three wins from their last six matches at the time of writing, they do go into the tournament off the back of their impressive aforementioned Nations League victory, and will be hoping to build on a fourth-place finish as fresh as from 2016.

Where will Copa América matches take place?

A total of 14 stadiums across the United States will be used throughout Copa América 2024.

The first game of the tournament will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with the final set to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

How can I watch in the UK?

Pay-per-view channel Premier Sports has secured the broadcast rights in the United Kingdom for all 32 matches in this year’s competition, having previously done so in 2015 and 2016.

Premier Sports is available on Sky channels 419 and 420 from £9.99 per month on a minimum 12-month term.

It can also be found on Virgin as channels 551 and 552 from just £12.99 and on Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription.

In previous years, the BBC have provided exclusive live coverage of the tournament.

Match Details

Check back on cpfc.co.uk for updates on how Richards, Lerma and Muñoz get on during the 2024 Copa América. All times below BST.

Colombia

Warm-up friendlies:

Saturday, 8th June: United States 1-5 Colombia (Muñoz played 83 minutes, Lerma played 90 minutes and got an assist)
Saturday, 15th June: Colombia 3-0 Bolivia (Lerma played 90 minutes, Muñoz was unfortunately shown a red card 68 minutes in)

2024 Copa América:

Monday, 24th June (23:00): Colombia 2-1 Paraguay (Muñoz played the full 90 minutes and scored the opener, Lerma played 68 minutes and scored the second goal)
Friday, 28th June (23:00): Colombia 3-0 Costa Rica (Muñoz played the full 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet, Lerma played 72 minutes)
Wednesday, 3rd July (02:00): Brazil 1-1 Colombia (Muñoz played the full 90 minutes and scored the equalising goal, Lerma also played the full 90 minutes)
Saturday, 6th July (23:00): Colombia 5-0 Panama (Muñoz played 73 minutes and got an assist for the fourth goal, Lerma was suspended)
Thursday, 11th July (01:00): Colombia 1-0 Uruguay (Lerma played the full 90 minutes and scored the winning goal, Muñoz was shown a red card in the 45th minute)
Monday, 15th July (01:00): Argentina 1-0 Colombia (a.e.t.) (With Muñoz suspended, Lerma started the final and played 106 minutes of a heart-breaking late defeat in extra-time)

United States

Warm-up friendlies:

Saturday, 8th June: United States 1-5 Colombia (Richards played the full 90 minutes)
Thursday, 13th June: United States 1-1 Brazil (Richards played the full 90 minutes)

2024 Copa América:

Sunday, 23rd June (23:00): United States 2-0 Bolivia (Richards played the full 90 minutes and kept a clean sheet)
Thursday, 27th June (23:00): Panama 2-1 United States (Richards played the full 90 minutes)
Tuesday, 2nd July (02:00): United States 0-1 Uruguay (Richards played the full 90 minutes)

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