The Meadowlands outside of New York City got its first of the two knockout round games Friday night. Peru and Colombia faced off in front of a sold out crowd in a quarterfinal matchup. The fans were raucous and alive throughout a scoreless game. It may have not been the most technical game, but it certainly was physical.
Peru entered the game under very suspicious circumstances. Brazil and Peru played each other last Sunday night in Foxborough, MA. Had Brazil tied or won, they would have gone through to the knockout stages. Needless to say, Peru prevailed 1-0. But how they lost is clear. A cross came through the box for Peru and the ball was hit into the net by Raúl Ruidíaz. He hit it with his arm which was a clear hand ball. Ruidíaz dragged his arm back and in an unnatural position hit the ball in. After about two to three minutes of delegation amongst the refs, the goal stood. Video replay would have over turned that goal easily, but that’s a discussion for another time. Whether soccer fans liked it or not, Peru made it through and won Group C with Ecuador coming in second.
Copa America Quarterfinals: Colombia Tops Peru in Penalties
Enough about the past, let’s talk about what transpired Friday night. The game went 90 minutes without a goal. A new rule implemented this year is that quarterfinal and semifinal games that go to extra time immediately go to penalty kicks. Colombia would win 4-2 in the subsequent shootout. Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina saved Miguel Trauco‘s shot with Peru’s Christian Cueva shot sailing over the bar to send Colombia to the quarterfinals. Cueva and Trauco were visibly upset after the game. Peru manager Ricardo Gareca stated in his post game press conference:
“Locker room is logically, after elimination, upset,” Gareca said.
Both teams had a few chances throughout the game. Colombia star James Rodriguez‘s 23-yard shot rattled of the post and back out. Had the ball been just three inches to the left, the ball was surely in. Colombian striker Carlos Bacca was frustrated all night as Peru stood solidly in the back and did a great job in not letting any open shots. Peru had a chance late in the game but Ospina stood on his head. Christian Ramos put a header on goal after a corner kick was sent in but Ospina reacted quickly and accordingly by palming the ball over the cross bar. Gareca also added post-game:
“We lashed out more on the attack but Colombia did good on their end as well as us,” he noted.
Statistically it was a pretty even game. Both teams were effective in passing with Peru passing the ball with 91% efficiency and Colombia with 90% efficiency. Colombia had the edge in possession with just under 55% of the ball. But as the soccer adage goes, it does not matter how much possession you have, it’s what you do with the ball when you have it. Peru only had three total shots with only one on goal. Colombia had six shots with one on goal and one off the woodwork.
Colombia goes on to face the winner of Saturday’s Chile-Mexico matchup next Wednesday. Peru goes home with the World Cup Qualifiers to look forward to.
