Colombia and Peru battled it out to be the third-best team in the Copa America 2021. The Colombian team suffered defeat in the penalty shootout to Argentina while Peru digested the same faith in their 1-0 defeat to Brazil both in the semifinal stage of the competition. Both of these nations are desperate to see off the tournament with something in their bag.
Coach Reinaldo Rueda led his side to the Argentina game in the semis being second favorites to advance although they offered a fight. They had to do it the hard way by facing endless attacks from the Blue and White stripes managing to get back in the game through Luis Diaz leveler in the second half after Lautaro Martinez scored inside seven minutes. David Ospina had to rescue Los Cafeteros on several occasions before it headed to penalties. In the shootout, Edwin Cardona's spot-kick was saved by Argentinian goalie Emiliano Martinez to launch the South American giants to the final.
Peru's misery against Brazil piled upon them again with a Lucas Paqueta first-half strike making the difference in the game for the finalist. However, Ricardo Gareca's men caused a few troubles in the second half with Lapadula and later Garcia's effort saved by Brazil's Ederson. Defender Alexander Callens also could have done better with his header ten minutes from the final whistle from a free-kick. This was the fourth consecutive loss for Peru in the hands of the samba boys in Copa America.
Colombia vs Peru Match Details :
When: Friday, July 9/ Saturday, July 10
Timings: 05:30 (IST), 21:00 (local)
Where: Estádio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia
Recent Form (Copa America)
Colombia: DLLDD
Peru: WDWDL
FC Porto midfielder Mateus Uribe left the camp before the semifinals due to a muscular injury he suffered and will play no further part in the competition. Gustavo Cuellar started the game instead of him and will remain in the starting eleven alongside Wilmar Barrios in the midfield pivot. The rest of the squad is fit. Colombia's scoring woes continue to haunt them even after having several proper strikers in their rank. Luis Diaz has taken up the mantle to score some goals being the reliable scorer for his nation. He as usual begins the game.
Peru are happy to have star man Andre Carrillo back from suspension as the former Benfica winger was shown a second yellow in his team's win over Paraguay. He should jump back straight in the starting eleven on the right side allowing Gareca to revert to back four after playing a three-man defense against Brazil. Carrillo will partner Sergio Pena and Christian Cueva to support center forward Gianluca Lapadula who recently started scoring in the competition. The rest of the squad is untouched and will replicate the starting eleven of the Paraguay game.
Colombia vs Peru Predicted Lineups :
Colombia: David Ospina; Daniel Munoz, Yeri Mina, Davinson Sanchez, William Tesillo, Juan Cuadrado, Wilmar Barrios, Gustavo Cuellar, Luis Diaz, Duvan Zapata, Miguel Borja
Peru: Pedro Gallese; Aldo Corzo, Christian Ramos, Alexander Callens, Miguel Trauco, Renato Tapia, Yoshimar Yotun, Andre Carrillo, Sergio Pena, Christian Cueva, Gianluca Lapadula
Colombia vs Peru Head to Head :
These two met last time in the group stage of this competition only with Peru gaining the upper hand. In their second game, Gueda's men took a lead in the first half through Sergio Pena but the lead was cancelled out by Miguel Borja's penalty after the break. Then an own goal from defender Yeri Mina led Peru to take back the lead resulting in a win. This was the first victory for the nation over Colombia since 2011. In all, Los Cafeteros had won 26 games in 67 meetings seven more than their opposition on Friday evening.
COL vs PER Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: David Ospina (Col)
DEF: Aldo Corzo (Per), Yeri Mina (Col), Davinson Sanchez (Col), William Tesillo (Col)
MID: Andre Carrillo (Per), Yoshimar Yotun (Per), Wilmar Barrios (Col), Luis Diaz (Col)
FW: Gianluca Lapadula (Per), Duvan Zapata (Col)
Match Prediction: Colombia 2-1 Peru
Despite problems in converting chances, Colombia is reluctant to throw the shield in the knockout stages and their recent showing proves that. Reinaldo Rueda's men have forced penalties on the previous two occasions in the knockout stage but this game is understandably determined in the normal time. If Colombia doesn't receive the bronze medal questions are going to be thrown regarding Rueda's future. Peru has been performing on a high in the last few years under Gareca although this will be the end of another successful Copa America campaign for them after being into the finals of the last competition.
