Colombia took on Peru in the second quarterfinal game on Friday night in persuit of their first semifinal berth since 2004 but Peru made life difficult for them in the normal play. It took penalties to separate the two teams. There is no extra time in Copa America and after both teams pretty much cancel each other out in the normal 90 minutes, Colombia advance on penalties after scoring 4 while Peru missed two.
Colombia will face either Chile or Mexico in the semifinal and this is the firs time they have qualified for the international tournament semifinal stage since 2004.
José Pékerman rested server players in the last group game with the likes of Rodriguez, Bacca, Juan Cuadrado, Edwin Cardona, Jeison Murillo and David Ospina will slot back in the starting lineup while Peru are likely to keep unchanged side which defeated Brazil in the last game. Costa Rica defeated Colombia in the last group game but that was down to them playing without number of first team players. José Pékerman has build the team around Rodriguez and he will be the key going into the big game on friday night.
Possible Starting lineups: Guerrero set to lead the line for Peru while Andy Polo and Edinson Flores set to play in attacking roles. Cueva, Adan Balbin and Oscar Vilchez to start in central midfield roles. Colombia will play with their trusted 4-2-3-1 formation. Carlos Bacca to play upfront while trio of Rodriguez, Gutierrez and Cuadrado to take attacking roles while Sanchez and Lerma to play in central midfield roles.
Match Predictions: Peru were installed as dark horsed before the competition started and they have lived up to the expectations beating Brazil and qualify for knockouts after unbeaten group stage. Now comes the big test against free flowing Colombia who pose stiff attacking threat. Peru defense is more than capable enough to trouble Colombia back four. Having said that its one of those high scoring games where they will have to outscore Colombia somehow rather than just sitting back and hoping for that odd goal. I am going with a Colombia win in this one.