Colombia went into their decisive Copa America Group C clash with Peru knowing that a win would guarantee them progression into the knockout stages of the tournament.
Jose Pekerman's charges started the game in a lively fashion against a Peru side that knew a point would be enough to secure passage into the next round, as Radamel Falcao went close in the early stages.
Neither side were able to create much in the second period with Peru looking to play out a draw, and that is how things ended as Claudio Pizarro and company earned a spot in the knockout stages.
The goalless outcome meant that Colombia were left waiting to find out their fate in the group after Brazil's clash with Venezuela later in the evening.
Good evening everyone and welcome to our live coverage as Colombia take on Peru in their decisive Group C clash at the Copa America. Both teams are still in with a shout of qualification, with all four teams in the group sitting on three points. Victory for either side tonight will result in progression into the next stage of the tournament.
Jose Pekerman's side are undoubtedly favourites for this clash, but they've rarely threatened to showcase the kind of form that saw them ranked fourth best in the world prior to the start of the Copa. Colombia did well to achieve victory against Brazil, although that result only masked a rather terrible opening-game display when they were defeated by Venezuela in Rancagua.
Meanwhile, Peru have still by no means given up hope on reaching the knockout stages. Ricardo Gareca's side played well despite their opening loss to Brazil and were able to clinch a vital three points by beating Venezuela with a 1-0 win in Vaparaiso.
Some team news for you now...
COLOMBIA STARTING XI: Ospina; Murillo, Zapata, Armero, Arias, Valencia, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Gutierrez, Falcao
COLOMBIA SUBSTITUTES: Bonilla, Vargas, Franco, Valdés, Andrade, Zuniga, Cardona, Mejia, Martinez, Ibarbo, Muriel
PERU STARTING XI: Gallese; Advincula, Zambrano, Vargas, Lobaton, Ascues, Cueva, Sanchez, Ballon, Pizarro, Guerrero
PERU SUBSTITUTES: Penny, Libman, Riojas, Yotun, Requena, Ramos, Retamoso, Reyna, Hurtado, Cespedes, Farfan, Carrillo
Interesting decision from Pekerman this evening as he's decided to stick with out-of-sorts striker Radamel Falcao, with both Victor Ibarbo and Jackson Martinez still waiting for their chance on the bench. The AS Monaco striker is to be backed by the creative input of both Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez this evening.
Peru have opted for the experience of Claudio Pizarro up front, and he'll be partnered by the industrious Paolo Guerrero who produced a wonderful display in his country's opening fixture against Brazil. The two forwards are to receive support from a midfield that includes Christian Cueva and Carlos Lobaton, who again were equally impressive against Dunga's men.
These two sides know each other fairly well having played quite a few games against each other in recent years. Colombia just about nip ahead on the form table given that they were able to defeat Peru twice in the qualifying build-up to the recent World Cup in Brazil. However, Peru did manage to achieve a vital victory against Colombia in the last Copa in 2011, which saw the Peruvians claim a 2-0 extra-time win in the quarter-finals.
It's probably time for me to give a prediction for tonight's game... I don't think Peru are going to sit back and take a defeat here, but they'll be hard-pressed to stop a Colombian side that's brimming with creative talent. I'm backing Pekerman's charges to knick this game 2-1.
Defeat tonight doesn't necessarily spell the end of the team's chances, but it will meant that they will have to rely on other results and also hope that they are named as one of the two best-placed third-finishing teams across the three-group tournament.
The two teams are now making their way out onto the pitch in Chile as we await the start of the national anthems.
Peru are featuring in their white strip this evening, with Colombia in yellow and black...
KICKOFF! Colombia get things moving in the first half with Rodriguez switching the ball back to his defence. The ball is forced forward into Falcao, but the striker is easily dispossessed.
Peru share their first bit of the ball in the encounter as it's moved swiftly from flank to flank. It's moved forward into midfield where Valencia does a great job to steal back possession.
Rodriguez gets a chance to get at the Peru defence and he obliges with good feet to win a questionable free kick off of Advincula. The resulting kick is lofted into the box, where Lobaton is able to head clear with ease.
SAVE! Falcao does brilliantly to react quickest to a scramble in the box following the corner. The ball drops to his feet and he spins on the turn to fire a bullet shot down towards the bottom-right corner. The striker doesn't count on Gallese, however, who does incredibly well to get down low and tip the shot past his post.
It's clear to see that Peterman's side have decided to press heavily in this opening gambit. The men in yellow are apply lots of high pressure on their opponents and it's paying dividends at the moment.
SHOT! Falcao looks threatening again, this time as he plays the creative role by threading a needle-sharp pass in behind the Peru defence to find an on-rushing Arias, whose shot goes into the side-netting.
YELLOW CARD! Colombia's Zapata picks up a needless yellow card following a strong lunge on Sanchez.
More good work from Colombia now as a wonderful ball is zipped out from the back for a bustling Armero, who breaks past the Peru defence before eventually being closed out inside the box.
Colombia are asserting their dominance now with some sharp passing in the middle of the pitch, you get the sense that they mean business this evening. Peru haven't been able to get a foothold in the game thus far.
Gutierrez shows great strength down in the right corner to earn a smart corner from Gutierrez. Rodriguez fires in the ball, leaving Peru to scramble things away despite the best efforts of Sanchez to force the issue in the penalty box.
Peru are doing all they can to remain in the game at the minute, they've been unable to keep control of the ball and it's playing into Colombia's favour. Pekerman's men move down the right this time through Murillo, but the right-back is closed out by some good pressure from Vargas. The ball is then switch to the right flank, where Advincula gets across to give Colombia another corner.
Rodriguez is looking for his teammates to attack the ball after lofting a high one into the box. It doesn't quite have the right quality to appear threatening, despite the best efforts of an attacking Zapata, and Peru are able to clear with relative ease.
Peru are looking to take the sting out of this counter by keeping possession down in the bottom corner of the Colombia half. Advincula wins a throw in an attacking position, but the Colombia defence are able to scramble the ball away. It appears that Pizarro is yet to even touch the ball.
Valencia goes down after an awkward challenge and it looks like he might have damaged some ligaments in his knee region after a hefty fall. He's lifted off the pitch on a stretcher as Colombia scramble to make a change.
SUBSTITUTION: Alexander Mejia comes on to replace Valencia. It looks like he'll fill in alongside Sanchez in a ball-winning midfield position.
Colombia's original attacking tempo seems to have waned a little after an impressive opening 15 minutes. Cuadrado needlessly tries to beat three men on the right wing and is eventually challenged by Vargas. He's been a little greedy so far and his teammates are looking slightly frustrated.
Peru are looking to double-up on Rodriguez when he gets forward. The Real Madrid man does well this time to escape their advances and find Sanchez, who is eventually fouled at the mid-way point.
Advincula has been really impressive at the Copa. The Peru right-back shows some good pace to break forward, but his work fails to pay off as Colombia easily clear a lumped ball into the box.
Peru finally show some attacking presence as Pizarro puts himself about inside the Colombia box. The ball is cleared as far as Ascues, who spoons a terrible effort over the crossbar.
Colombia come back now with a well-worked move down the right-flank, however Zambrano does brilliantly to get a last-gasp block in and avert the ball away for a corner.
Ospina does well to rush off his line and collect the ball at the vital moment when it looks like Guerrero might steal in. That chance came after Pizarro jinked past his marker before seeing a deflected effort loop up in behind the Colombian back-four.
The Peruvians have done incredibly well here to swing things back towards a level footing as the first half nears a close. Colombia were dominant in the opening stages, but have really failed to threaten in the last 10 minutes.
CLOSE! Peru almost make it 1-0 after some tremendous work between Guerrero and Pizarro. The Bayern man picks out a memorable through ball in behind the defence, where Guerrero latches on to squeeze a finish across the face of goal and wide.
Rodriguez is looking more and more frustrated, Peru are really doing a good job on him. It appears as though each time he receives the ball in the pockets, Peru move across to form a back-five and the playmaker's efforts are nullified.
Ospina is impressive again as he rushes from his line to claim a dangerous corner with both hands. The keeper sends the ball to Cuadrado who looks to establish a counter-attack, but Zambrano gets across to block his move and the two players collide in a bone-crunching challenge. Luckily nobody is hurt, that looked a tad dangerous from both men.
HALF TIME: COLOMBIA 0-0 PERU
The referee draws a close to an intriguing opening half of football in Chile. Colombia started wonderfully and were unlucky not to go in front following Falcao's early effort, but since that pressured period Peru have managed to wrestle back some control in the fixture. This game is still finely poised going into the break.
Pekerman will be quite pleased with his charges at the interval. Falcao has looked a lot sharper than in the previous two games, and his side have overall appeared more up for the fight. They've put some good pressure on their opponents, but are arguably still lacking that final touch to be able to create some clear-cut chances.
As the replays continue to show that tackle between Cuadrado and Zambrano, it looks as though the Chelsea man has two feet off the floor. He might actually be a little lucky to still be on the pitch. It could have easily been a red card on another night.
Peru will be more than pleased with the shape of this game as it stands. They know that a draw should be more than enough to see them through given their superior goal-difference over the other third-placed teams in Group A and B.
Colombia could still progress with a draw, but would be hoping for something close to a miracle in the fixture between Brazil and Venezuela later on this evening. Expect Pekerman's men to come out all guns blazing in the second period, they'll want to grab the three points and put qualification to bed.
Colombia have shaded the possessional statistics having retained 54.2% of the ball, although Peru won't mind that too much given the damage they can do on the counter. Ricardo Gareca will probably be asking much of the same from his side in the second half as they look to eek out a draw or do some surprise damage against the run of play.
KICKOFF! We're back underway in Chile, Peru getting things moving again in white. Colombia regain possession with relative ease as Arias looks to break down the right but he's challenged by Vargas.
Peru are shaping up in much the same fashion as in the first period. As soon as Colombia move forward, the Peruvian defence becomes a back-five and is very difficult to break down.
SHOT! Colombia try to mount a counter through Mejia as he spins on the turn. His pass is a little short and Peru launch a move of their own. Sanchez moves towards goal before unleashing a quick-fire shot that flies into the side-netting.
Falcao, Rodriguez and Gutierrez haven't really appeared that synchronised together this evening. All three have shown great individual movement, but they seem to be far too apart to be making things tick up front.
SHOT! Colombia stupidly give the ball away at the back and it is eventually worked across the box into the path of Sanchez again, who sees his first-time shot tipped away by an outstretched Ospina.
Rodriguez is given too much time unchallenged in the Peru half and he produces a standout chipped ball beyond the defence, but Falcao doesn't quite have the legs to get onto it and Gallese comes out to gather.
Is this game calling out for Jackson Martinez? Maybe... The Colombians are clearly lacking a bit of fire power up top. Pekerman's men come forward again through Gutierrez only to be thwarted by an ever-tight Peru back-line. They've been fantastic tonight.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Peru's Pizaro comes off in place of Jefferson Farfan in attack. Colombia also replace Armero with frontman Victor Ibarbo.
Peru get the chance to fire something into the box as they win a free kick on the right flank. Farfan delivers, but he can only find an out-rushing Opsina who gathers with two hands.
Colombia attack down the other end as Arias sends in a perfect cross for Falcao, who leaps to head over the bar without even challenging the Peru stopper. Poor attempt really, he should have done a lot better with that!
The Yellows are still seeing much more of the ball in this half, but there's just not a lot of choice going forward. The Peruvian system is stifling any space for the forwards and Colombia are being made to look a little clueless in the final third.
It doesn't appear that Pekerman's side see themselves in any kind of rush at the moment. They've been happy to zip the ball across the midfield without taking too many chances going forward. That will need to change if they're going to take their fate into their own hands in this tournament.
YELLOW CARD! Colombia's Sanchez is given a booking following a number of persistently poor challenges in the Peru half.
SUBSTITUTION: As predicted, the Colombia boss finally takes the required leap of faith as he brings on Jackson Martinez in place of Falcao.
Martinez almost makes an instant impact as he pulls off a wonderful through-ball to find an on-rushing Gutierrez. Peru stopper Gallese reads the situation perfectly, though, and comes haring off his line to claim the ball.
SHOT! Colombia try to do some damage on the counter as Rodriguez flicks a perfect header into space for Gutierrez, who threads a neat ball back into the path of his teammate. Rodriguez sees his initial shot saved down low, before Martinez rushes in to fire the rebound wide.
You sense that Colombia might have a slight advantage now going into the final 20 minutes of this contest. Peru know that a point will ultimately do and they're playing like a team that is more concerned with keeping a clean sheet than taking three points. If Colombia can knick a goal this game should open up immensely.
Farfan puts in the yards for his team down in the far Colombian corner. He shows great strength to beat two men and earn his side a throw to take the sting out of proceedings a little.
More pressure comes from Colombia, thanks to a superb flick from Ibarbo who finds Martinez down towards the corner flag. The forward's cross is completely lacking and Peru clear at the first attempt.
Yet another chance goes wayward, this time as Colombia seek to break down the left. Back come Pekerman's men through Rodriguez, though, and he wins a free kick right on the edge of the area. Perfect range for a memorable winner here!
Frustrating... Cuadrado fires straight into the wall from the free kick and follows it up with an equally awful attempt on the rebound to send the ball blazing over the bar. Rodriguez might have been the better option there.
Still no real response from Colombia, they continue to knock the ball about the pitch without any real intensity. Peru don't seem to mind too much, they're going through at this rate.
Ibarbo does well to try and find Martinez at the back-post, but Peru keep their concentration to get across and head the ball away for a corner.
Ballon has put in the yards tonight and he does brilliantly to take possession away from Rodriguez, who looked to be a great position on the left flank.
This is perhaps becoming a little bit of a disappointing end. Colombia don't really look like a team that are capable of doing something memorable now. Peru continue to soak up the play and keep the shutters down at the back.
SUBSTITUTION: Cueva is replaced by Yoshimar Yotun as Peru look to waste some time in the final few minutes.
We're going to have four minutes of additional time. Martinez is through on goal on the left side of the box, but his snap-shot is comfortably saved by Gallese.
Still nothing from the side in yellow as we go into the final minute. Peru are doing all they can to shut up shop and it appears to be working. Martinez tries to force the Colombian issue down the left, but is tackled easily.
Ibarbo spins inside the box to fire a shot off towards the side-netting. Colombia are claiming a penalty only for the referee to smile and wave for the play to move on...
FULL TIME: COLOMBIA 0-0 PERU (PERU QUALIFY FOR THE KNOCKOUT STAGES)
So Peru play out the perfect tactic to earn a draw that sees them through to the knockout stages of the tournament. Colombia will now be sweating on the outcome of this evening's contest between Brazil and Venezuela to see if they've done enough to qualify for the next round.
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
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