The 2001 Copa América saw Colombia create history by winning the trophy for the first time. They also didn’t concede a single goal in the tournament. Though hosts of the competition, winning the Copa América was further proof of the Colombians’ rise as a football nation.
The 2001 Copa América: A Chance For The Underdog
Brazil Shocked
At the tournament in 2001, there was a chance for an underdog to shine after one of the traditionally strongest teams, Argentina, withdrew from the competition due to safety concerns. Then when reigning champions Brazil lost 2-0 to Honduras in the quarter-final, the 2001 Copa América was looking like it might have an unlikely winner.
Colombia, A Growing Force
Colombia had qualified for the World Cup in Italy in 1990 and subsequently reached the knockout stage for the first time. That was only the Colombians’ second appearance at a World Cup. Their first had seen them crash out in the group stage in Chile in 1962, though they did get a notable 4-4 draw against then-European champions, the Soviet Union.
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The flamboyant midfielder Carlos Valderrama would be the lynchpin of the Colombian side through most of the 1990s. He was also involved in one of the greatest matches in Colombia’s history when they won 5-0 against Argentina in Buenos Aires in a World Cup qualifying match in September 1993.
Through To The Semi-Finals Comfortably
At the 2001 Copa América, Colombia were in Group A. They breezed through their group defeating Venezuela 2-0 in their opening match in Barranquilla. Ecuador were then beaten 1-0 before the hosts wrapped up their group games with a 2-0 win over Chile.
In the quarter-finals, Peru offered stiff resistance against the Colombians, with the hosts having to wait until after half-time to achieve the breakthrough. Striker Víctor Aristizábal scored twice as Colombia won 3-0.
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An Unlikely Hero
Honduras, fresh from beating Brazil, were Colombia’s opponents in the semi-final in Manizales. An early goal by Gerardo Bedoya put the hosts in control. Bedoya was an unlikely goalscoring hero, as he had a fearsome reputation as a defensive midfielder in his playing career.
He holds the record for the most dismissals in the history of the professional game – red carded a remarkable 46 times. Aristizábal then settled the nerves for the hosts with a second goal with less than half an hour remaining.
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Bogotá would host the final between Colombia and Mexico. It was the Colombians’ first Copa América final since 1975 – the only other occasion they had reached the final. The Mexicans had gradually improved throughout the competition, after mixed results in their group, and only just qualified for the knockout stage.
They reached the final after a narrow 2-1 win against Uruguay in Pereira.
Captain Córdoba’s History-Making Moment
It would be Colombia captain Iván Córdoba who would decide the outcome of the final – and create history. On 65 minutes the Inter Milan defender sent the mostly pro-Colombian crowd of 47,000 wild with a brilliant header that proved to be the only goal of the game.
Colombia were worthy winners, under manager Francisco Maturana, of the 2001 Copa América. While they were the first winners never to concede a goal throughout the competition. Víctor Aristizábal was the leading scorer in the tournament with six goals in six games. He would, strangely, only score nine goals in his 60 other appearances for his country.
Among The Favourites For The 2024 Copa América
In 2024 Colombia will be one of the best teams in South America and will have high hopes in this year’s Copa América. Leading up to the tournament they have won eight games in a row, including victories over Brazil, Spain, and Mexico and a 5-1 thumping of the United States in Maryland. They are unbeaten in 23 matches.
