Late game goal lifts Colombia to 3-2 third-place Copa América win over Peru

A goal in the dying minutes of the game from Luis Diaz broke the deadlock and gave Colombia the 3-2 win as they edged out Peru to claim third place in the Copa América tournament.

Yoshimar Yotun got the scoring started for the Peruvians in the 45th minute of play off a great assist from Christian Cueva. Cueva sent the ball across the top of the box to a streaking Yotun who was able to easily tap it in past Camila Vargas who had come off his line in an attempt to save the shot. The ex-Orlando City player did well to put his side up 1-0 just before the halftime break.

While both teams ended up with five shots (one on target) in the first 45 minutes, Peru controlled the majority of possession with 56 percent and clearly had an advantage enjoying that one-goal lead at the half.

Colombia pulled back an equalizer early on in the second half thanks to a gorgeous free kick from midfielder Juan Cuadrado. From just outside the 18, he sent in a perfectly curled shot that threaded the needle between the Peruvian players in the wall, and sailed into the net near post just out of reach of Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Luis Diaz grabbed another goal for the Colombians in the 66th minute when he broke free past the Peruvian defense and sent a shot in far post past Gallese. The Porto FC winger’s goal was enough to take a 2-1 lead for Colombia with just over 20 minutes left to play in regulation time.

Peru had an equalizer of their own in the 83rd minute as Gianluca Lapadula headed in a ball off a corner kick, catching the goalkeeper off guard and breathing some life into the Peruvian team with less than 10 minutes left to play.

As the game inched closer toward penalties, Luis Diaz did it again in the third minute of stoppage time as he let a shot rip from the top of the 18. Gallese got the tip of his glove to it, but it wasn’t enough as the ball flew into the back of the net, giving Colombia the 3-2 lead.

The game ended moments after the restart, and Colombia raised the third place trophy for the fifth time.