Copa America: Colombia out to cast aside Panama for spot in semi-final

Copa America: Colombia out to cast aside Panama for spot in semi-final

Eric Munene 15:42 - 06.07.2024

Colombia have reached the semi-final twice in the last three Copa America editions and can make it a hat-trick with victory against Panama.

In a dramatic showdown that saw Colombia secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against football giants Brazil, Néstor Lorenzo’s squad clinched the top spot in Copa América’s Group D.

Despite ending their impressive ten-game winning streak, the Tricolour extended their unbeaten run to an astounding 26 matches, dating back to February 2022. This remarkable record underscores Colombia's status as serious contenders for the coveted Copa crown.

Having showcased formidable strength in recent tournaments, Colombia reached the semi-finals twice in the last three iterations of the Copa América, with their last championship victory dating back to 2001.

Under Lorenzo’s guidance, Colombia's strategy centers on their potent forward line, having scored three or more goals in four of their last six matches.

Their next challenge comes in the form of Panama, a team determined to disrupt Colombia's juggernaut. Panama's journey in this tournament has been nothing short of remarkable, securing their maiden Copa América quarter-final appearance in only their second participation.

Despite a 3-1 loss to Uruguay in their opening match, Panama rallied with consecutive victories over the USA (2-1) and Bolivia (3-1), showcasing their growing prowess under Danish manager Thomas Christiansen since 2020.

Panama’s recent surge, which includes climbing nearly 40 places in the FIFA rankings and reaching the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, underscores their potential to upset established teams.

With a solid record of ten wins in their last 15 matches, Panama's defensive capabilities will be crucial, despite conceding in their last five games.

Key players to watch include Colombia’s Daniel Muñoz, who has seamlessly transitioned his domestic success into international play, scoring twice in his last three appearances. On the Panamanian side, José Fajardo’s scoring prowess has been evident, netting crucial goals including the winner against the United States.