The likes of James Rodriguez and Colombia remain unbeaten after a strong quarter-final win

Colombia defeated Panama 5-0 in the quarterfinals of the Copa America 2024, extending their unbeaten streak to 27 games and punching a ticket to the semifinals of the tournament.

Colombia entered Copa America 2024 as the dark horses of the tournament, but Los Cafeteros proved they are a real contender after finishing top of Group D while Brazil, the world’s fourth-ranked team, finished second. The last time Nestor Lorenzo’s team lost a match was back in February 2022, along with James Rodriguez and others. they look to continue their good streak against Panama in the quarter-finals.

How the game happened

At the start of the game, Colombia was looking for a goal, which took seven minutes for Los Cafeteros to score. James Rodriguez swung a corner straight at the head of Jhon Cordoba, who missed from five yards out.

Although they just won 1-0, the winners of Group D did not move their feet. In the 13th minute, Jhon Arias broke through and ran into the box; Orlando Mosquera came off his line and went for the ball, but instead, only made contact with Arias, giving Colombia a penalty. Rodriguez stepped up and quickly buried it to put his team up 2-0.

Panama rallied after conceding the first two goals, but Los Canaleros couldn’t find a goal. Then, before the break, Rodriguez took a quick free kick in his own half, catching the Panamanian defense by surprise. He played a fine ball over the Panamanian back line that put Luis Diaz through on goal, and the Liverpool man cleverly slotted past Mosquera for a 3-0 lead.

Not surprisingly, Colombia won the second half, determined to add points. What seemed like an inevitable fourth goal came in the 70th minute. Daniel Munoz looked to have conceded a penalty after Jovani Welch was fouled inside the box, but the referee played on, allowing Richard Rios to bury a powerful goal away from Mosquera.

With the game wrapped up, Nestor Lorenzo gave his bench time to play the last 20 minutes. Santiago Arias was the victim of a heavy collision in the box, which left the referee with no choice but to blow the whistle for a penalty in the 95th minute. Miguel Borja made no mistake, ending a storybook night for Colombia with the fifth goal.

GK: Camilo Vargas – 6/10 – Vargas kept his second clean sheet of the tournament, facing 14 shots in total.

RB: Daniel Munoz – 7/10 – Munoz used his physical condition to reducing the threat of Panama in the final third. The right back was also involved in the attack, assisting Rios’ goal.

CB: Davinson Sanchez – 6/10 – Sanchez made a couple of key clearances in the first half to keep Panama off the score sheet, effectively shutting down Eduardo Guerrero in the second half.

CB: Carlos Cuesta – 6/10 – Cuesta made no mistake today, working well with Sanchez to keep Panama scoreless.

LB: Johan Mojica – 6/10 – Mojica did his job tonight with little gusto. The left-back was solid in defense and linked up well with Luis Diaz.

CM: Richard Rios – 7/10 – Rios was all over the place tonight, coming in defensively and then going on offense. The midfielder was rewarded for his hard work with a goal in the second half.

CM: Mateus Uribe – 6/10 – Uribe tracked the defense well when called upon, but other than that, the midfielder had a quiet night.

CM: John Arias – 7/10 – Arias used his pace to exploit Panama’s backline, winning a penalty that would have doubled Colombia’s first-half lead.

RW: James Rodriguez – 8/10 – Rodriguez continues to be Colombia’s most dominant player, recording two assists tonight and scoring early on. His delivery of set pieces is second to none.

ST: John Cordoba – 7/10 – Cordoba scored his second goal of the tournament to give Colombia a lead eight minutes into the game.

LW: Luis Diaz – 7/10 – A few heavy touches brought Diaz down early in the game, but the defender bounced back to score a peach of a goal just before halftime.

What you are holding

SUB: Luis Sinisterra – 5/10 – Sinisterra played more minutes than any of the substitutes, but finished the game with little to show for it.

SUB: Jorge Carrascal – 5/10 – Carrascal came on to confirm his presence in midfield and helped keep Colombia in the lead after Arias (and Rodriguez) were sent off.

SUB: Santiago Arias – 5/10 – Arias played the ball sloppy and made a lot of mistakes, but won Colombia’s second penalty.

SUB: Juan Quintero – 5/10 – Quintero came on in the 73rd minute, but failed to make an impact.

SUB: Miguel Borja – 6/10 – Borja did well to find space in the final third, but a poor touch let him down. He redeemed himself when he buried the penalty in the 95th minute.

The manager

Nestor Lorenzo – 8/10 – Nestor Lorenzo continues to lead Colombia on its historic unbeaten streak. Although the Group D winners were expected to win tonight, they did so in a dominant fashion that made a statement with the world watching. Lorenzo continues to put his trust in James Rodriguez, and the midfielder continues to deliver.

As managers around the world continue to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, Lorenzo continues to put his team on the front foot.