'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Colombia attacker James Rodriguez is ecstatic to reach the 2024 Copa America final after a tense 1-0 win over Uruguay in the second semi-final on Wednesday (July 10).
In the clash at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jefferson Lerma's 39th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two teams. Despite Daniel Munoz's 45th-minute dismissal, Colombia held on for the win before Guillermo Varela saw red for Uruguay in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Rodriguez, 32, has had a memorable campaign, with his assist to Lerma being his sixth in five games at the ongoing Copa to go with a goal (in the 5-0 quarter-final win over Panama, where he also had two assists).
After taking Colombia to their first continental final in 23 years - where defending champions Argentina await - Rodriguez tweeted (as translated from Spanish) as he shared a few pictures from the Uruguay game:
"We're in the final"
La Albiceleste have been on a roll in the United States, conceding just once in five games, as they look to become the first repeat Copa champions since Chile (2015-16).
What happened when James Rodriguez's Colombia last faced Copa America champions Argentina?
Colombia have been on an impressive 28-game unbeaten streak across competitions as they reached the 2024 Copa America final with four wins in five games.
So, what happened when Los Cafeteros last played Lionel Messi and Co.? Well, it didn't end well for Nestor Lorenzo's side, falling to a 1-0 away loss in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Februray 2022, which also happens to be the two teams' last meeting.
Since then, though, James Rodriguez and Co. haven't tasted defeat in 28 games, winning 22. Will they continue their unbeaten streak against the reigning FIFA World Cup and Copa champions?
It's pertinent to note that Lionel Scaloni's side have lost just once in their last 12 meetings with Colombia, winning seven, highlighting the enormity of the challenge awaiting Los Cafeteros.
