Copa America 2011 Quarterfinals, Colombia Vs. Peru: Cafeteros Out As Peru Notch Stunning 2-0 Victory

After 90 minutes of fairly boring football, we will be subjected to another 30 minutes of what will probably be boring football. You can direct all of your hate mail towards Colombia and FC Porto superstar striker Radamel Falcao, who missed a penalty kick a good five yards wide in the second half. That penalty kick would have likely sent Peru home, Los Cafeteros to the semifinals, and this game to a merciful end. Instead, we will play 120 minutes.

The penalty was granted in the 65th minute when Alberto Martinez, who was having a brilliant game up until that point, hauled down Dayro Moreno - one of the few attacking players who had a good game - who was running onto a long ball from Mario Yepes. Falcao stepped up to take it, but he shanked his shot wide.

Colombia certainly have Peru beat in talent, but their play in the first half of their 2011 Copa America quarterfinal hasn’t shown it. Though Los Cafeteros haven’t looked terribly ambitious in the first half, this 45 minute segment might be in indication that Peru’s defense throughout the group stage was not a fluke. The match is tied 0-0, and Peru deserve to be drawn with their opponents at this juncture. Both teams have been in a bit of a defensive shell, but Peru are looking more solid at the back and just as ambitious as their opponents.

Playmaker Fredy Guarin has been breaking down defenses for Colombia so far in this tournament, but Peru have impressively rendered him invisible so far. Radamel Falcao’s work rate has been superb, but his teammates have not helped him much at all. This match is resembling Colombia’s first two matches, in which Falcao ran all over the pitch but his work rate and skill was not matched.

Colombia lineup: Martinez; Yepes, Perea, Armero, Zuiñiga; Aguilar, D. Moreno, Guarin, C. Moreno, Ramos, Falcao

Peru lineup: Libman; Acasiete, Revoredo, Ramos, Vilchez, Balbin, Guevara, Gonzalez, Corzo, Chiroque, Rudiaz