By The Copa America 2024 semi-finals are set to showcase a thrilling encounter between Colombia and Uruguay on July 10 at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams have impressed throughout the tournament, with Colombia on a remarkable 27-game unbeaten streak and Uruguay coming off a stunning victory over Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Colombia’s Journey and Predicted Lineup
Colombia, led by coach Nestor Lorenzo, has exceeded expectations at Copa America 2024. Los Cafeteros topped Group D, outperforming Brazil, and then delivered a dominant 5-0 victory against Panama in the quarter-finals. Their consistent performances have been built on a stable starting XI, with only minor adjustments throughout the tournament.
Colombia’s predicted lineup (4-3-3):
GK: Camilo Vargas – Conceded only two goals in the tournament so far.
RB: Daniel Munoz – Contributing offensively with two goals and one assist in the last four matches.
CB: Davinson Sanchez – Ever-present, playing all 360 minutes of Colombia’s Copa America campaign.
CB: Carlos Cuesta – Aiming for his third clean sheet of the tournament.
LB: Johan Mojica – Key to linking up with Luis Diaz on the left flank.
CM: Richard Rios – Industrious midfielder crucial for countering Uruguay’s midfield strength.
CM: Jefferson Lerma – Returns from suspension, likely to be the only change in the starting XI.
CM: Jhon Arias – Reliable presence in midfield, providing stability and balance.
RW: James Rodriguez – Tournament standout with five assists and one goal.
ST: Jhon Cordoba – Looking to add to his two-goal tally against a tough Uruguayan defense.
LW: Luis Diaz – His pace and creativity will be vital in exploiting Uruguay’s makeshift backline.
Uruguay’s Challenges and Predicted Lineup
Uruguay, under Marcelo Bielsa’s guidance, has been equally impressive, winning all their group stage matches before eliminating Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout. However, they face selection challenges due to injuries and suspensions.
Uruguay’s predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
GK: Sergio Rochet – Coming off an outstanding performance against Brazil, including a crucial penalty save.
RB: Guillermo Varela – Likely to make only his second appearance of the tournament due to Nahitan Nandez’s suspension.
CB: Jose Gimenez – Expected to make his first start, replacing the injured Ronald Araujo.
CB: Mathias Olivera – His experience will be crucial in Uruguay’s reshuffled defense.
LB: Matias Vina – Set to return after being substituted as a precaution in the quarter-finals.
DM: Federico Valverde – Uruguay’s most consistent player, key to controlling the game’s tempo.
DM: Manuel Ugarte – Has played almost every minute of the tournament, providing midfield stability.
RM: Facundo Pellistri – Looking to make a bigger impact in his 25th cap for Uruguay.
AM: Nicolas de la Cruz – Underrated playmaker who created the most chances against Brazil.
LM: Maximiliano Araujo – Impressive tournament with two goals and one assist already.
ST: Darwin Nunez – Aiming to open his knockout stage scoring account.
This semi-final promises to be a tactically intriguing battle between Colombia’s consistent lineup and Uruguay’s adaptability in the face of forced changes. Colombia’s unbeaten run will be severely tested by Uruguay’s resilience and tactical acumen under Bielsa.
The match will likely be decided in midfield, where Colombia’s trio of Rios, Lerma, and Arias will face off against Uruguay’s formidable duo of Valverde and Ugarte. The outcome could hinge on how effectively Colombia’s attack, led by Rodriguez and Diaz, can exploit Uruguay’s reshuffled defense.
As both teams vie for their first Copa America final appearance in years, fans can expect a closely contested and potentially classic South American encounter.
