Colombia defeats Peru in five-goal thriller to emerge bronze medallists in Copa America

Colombia edged Peru in a closely contested third-place encounter at the Copa America, winning 3-2 in a good quality match played at the Brazilian National Stadium.

Yoshimar Yotun opened the scoring for Peru with a composed strike to put them 1-0 up on the verge of halftime. Colombia’s captain on the night, Juan Cuadrado, equalised just four minutes into the second half from a direct freekick, bending the ball through the Peruvian wall and into the bottom corner of the net. Colombia went in front through FC Porto winger Luis Diaz as he scored from a brilliant assist by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas after 66 minutes. Peru found an equaliser as Gianluca Lapadula headed home a pinpoint delivery in the 82nd minute. Luis Diaz scored his second and his side’s third in the last minute of added time with a brilliant shot from outside the box that went through the goalkeeper to give Colombia the win in the game.

Colombia overcame the disappointment of losing on penalties to Argentina in the semifinals with a composed performance in the third place match, ending the tournament on a high. All attention now turns to the final clash between giants Brazil and Argentina for the ultimate prize of South American football.