EAST RUTHERFORD — Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina was the hero as Colombia slayed its penalty shootout jinx to defeat Peru and advance to the semifinals of the Copa America Centenario here Friday.
Ospina pulled off a superb save deep into injury time to deny Peru a goal before saving a spot-kick from Peru defender Miguel Trauco in the shootout to clinch a nailbiting win for Colombia.
A largely disappointing quarterfinal in front of 79,194 fans at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium was settled in penalties after the two sides finished 90 minutes deadlocked at 0-0.
After Colombia drilled its first three penalties, the tide turned in its favor when Trauco saw his effort blocked by Ospina.
Sebastian Perez then scored Colombia’s fourth penalty to put his 4-2 up and when Peru’s Christian Cueva blasted his spot-kick over the bar Colombia was through.
Victory was especially sweet for Colombia, which had exited the competition last year at the same stage to Argentina.
It will now play either Mexico or Chile in the semifinals in Chicago next Wednesday.
“Sometimes you win sometimes you lose, and today luck was on our side in the penalties,” Colombia’s James Rodriguez said.
“Our goal was to get into the semifinals at least and we’ve done that. Now we want to win the title,” the Real Madrid star added.
Goalkeeper Ospina said he believed Colombia could reach the June 26 final.
“I contributed my bit, and we want to keep going from here,” Ospina said.
“We can get to the final. The semi will be tough regardless of whoever we face.”
The tone for a tough encounter was set in the first 18 minutes, which saw no fewer than 11 fouls committed, mostly coming from Peru.
The best chance of the half came after 22 minutes, Rodriguez picked up the ball in midfield and advanced toward goal before letting fly with a curling low shot from 20 yards.
The strike flew past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese but agonizingly for Rodriguez it struck the foot of the right hand upright and cannoned back across the goal.
Bacca pounced on the rebound but his shot went just wide.
The most notable incidents in the remainder of the half were a series of meaty clashes which left players from both sides rolling on the turf at various times.
Colombia’s Daniel Torres was flattened by Peru defender Alberto Rodriguez while Juan Cuadrado also came off worst after a rugged aerial challenge by Trauco.
The bruising nature of the game continued after the break, with Renato Tapia lucky not to concede a penalty in the 53rd minute after a blatant barge on Bacca in the box which went unpunished.
