Colombia are aiming to win a second Copa America title, but must first get past 15-time winners Uruguay in the semi-finals. Look ahead to the tie with our Uruguay vs Colombia prediction and preview.
Uruguay vs Colombia Stats: The Key Insights
- Uruguay are backed to win by the Opta supercomputer. It gives them a 46.1% chance of winning inside 90 minutes.
- Uruguay have conceded just one goal (against Panama). It is the fewest goals allowed by La Celeste in their first four matches of a Copa America edition since 1959
- Colombia are competing in the semi-finals for the seventh time since 1993, but have only reached the final once in that time, when they beat Mexico 1-0 to lift the title in 2001.
Néstor Lorenzo says Colombia will not be satisfied unless they win the Copa America, with Uruguay next up for them in the semi-final.
Los Cafeteros are the in-form team at the tournament, and are on a 27-match unbeaten run in after their dominant 5-0 victory over Panama in the last round.
They have won all but one of their games at the Copa America so far, drawing 1-1 with Brazil in the other to secure top spot in Group D.
Colombia have only won the Copa America once before, back in 2001, and despite their fine run of form, Lorenzo says their tournament run will only be a success if they end their 23-year wait for a second title.
“To have a good Copa America is to win it,” Lorenzo said. “It is not an abstract concept. The objective is to win every game we play, and the boys know that.
“[We take it] game by game. The goal is to win the next game. The most important game is the next one.
“We are confirming the importance of coming to the national team and wearing the shirt. They [the players] feel a great pride in being there and that is typical of players.
“In this team, they kill themselves for their teammates. We worked hard on that from the beginning. It’s the way I feel about football from the technical direction.”
Uruguay played out a goalless draw with Brazil before prevailing on penalties to book their place in the semi-finals.
Despite showing off their free-flowing play early in the group stage, their defensive solidity has pushed them forward in the competition as they have not conceded in any of their last three matches.
They now face off against the highest scorers in this year’s Copa America, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa knowing they face a stern test against Colombia’s attackers.
“Colombia has many forwards, which is not common today,” Bielsa said. “There is more than one option for each level without much difference.
“The Colombian footballer has undergone a transformation. ‘He’ has always been creative, dominant, naturally competitive and has added the essentials to survive in today’s football.”
Players to Watch
Uruguay – José Giménez
If José Giménez plays against Colombia, he will become the sixth Uruguayan player to reach 20 appearances in the Copa America, joining the ranks of Diego Pérez, Roberto Porta (both 20), Schúbert Gambetta (21), Fernando Muslera (22), and Ángel Romano (23).
Colombia – James Rodríguez
James Rodríguez has provided five assists in this year’s Copa America. One more assist will make him the first player to surpass this figure in a single edition since these records began in 2011, breaking the current record he shares with Lionel Messi (five assists in 2021).
He has also created the most chances so far (14) and got his first goal last time out in their win over Panama.
Uruguay vs Colombia Prediction
Colombia have already equalled their most prolific scoring runs at the tournament, having netted 11 goals so far (also achieved in 1975 and 2001). But while Colombia’s goalscoring has caught the eye, they now face the stingiest defence at the Copa America.
Uruguay have conceded just one goal (against Panama). It is the fewest goals allowed by La Celeste in their first four matches of a Copa America edition since 1959 – they won the title in Ecuador, conceding just one goal, and Bielsa’s team are backed to win by Opta’s supercomputer. It gives them a 46.1% chance of winning inside 90 minutes.
Colombia upset the odds in 28.7% of simulations, and forced extra-time in 25.2% of them.
In the Opta supercomputer’s overall predictions, Uruguay reach the final 55.8% of the time and win the whole thing in 27.3% sims.
Uruguay vs Colombia Squads
Uruguay
Franco Israel, Santiago Mele, Sergio Rochet, Guillermo Varela, José Giménez, Lucas Olaza, Mathías Olivera, Matías Viña, Nicolás Marichal, Ronald Araujo, Sebastián Cáceres, Brian Rodríguez, Emiliano Martínez, Facundo Pellistri, Federico Valverde, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Manuel Ugarte, Maximiliano Araújo, Nahitan Nández, Nicolás de la Cruz, Rodrigo Bentancur, Agustín Canobbio, Brian Ocampo, Cristian Olivera, Darwin Núñez, Luis Suárez.
Head coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Colombia
Álvaro Montero, Camilo Vargas, David Ospina, Carlos Cuesta, Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Deiver Machado, Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, James Rodríguez, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Arias, Jorge Carrascal, Juan Fernando Quintero, Kevin Castaño, Mateus Uribe, Richard Ríos, Yáser Asprilla, Jhon Córdoba, Jhon Durán, Luis Díaz, Luis Sinisterra, Miguel Borja, Rafael Borré.
Head coach: Néstor Lorenzo
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