Chile beat Colombia in shootout to reach Copa semi-finals
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Chile's Alexis Sanchez scores a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Reigning champions Chile advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America on Friday after beating Colombia 5-4 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw at the Corinthians arena.
Alexis Sanchez got the winning spot kick after William Tesillo pulled Colombia’s last penalty wide of the post.
Chile will face either Uruguay or Peru in Wednesday’s semi-final in Porto Alegre. The other semi is between hosts Brazil and Argentina.
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Chile's Alexis Sanchez celebrate winning the penalty shootout with team mates REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
Chile had beaten Argentina in the last two finals of the tournament on penalty kicks and they gave Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina no chance on Friday.
"I think we had opportunities (during the game)," said Chile's Charles Aranguiz. "We didn’t take them and we had to do it on penalties.
"Our team is confident when it comes to penalties, we have won two finals on penalties. So that gives us energy."
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Referee Nestor Pitana gives the ball to Chile's Alexis Sanchez during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Henry Romero
The kick-off at the Corinthians arena was delayed by 20 minutes after the Chilean coach got stuck in Sao Paulo’s notorious traffic, keeping more than 40,000 fans waiting.
Tempers frequently flared in a match with 35 fouls but there was no lack of quality on show as both sides created chances.
Chile were unlucky not to win in regulation time, with Aranguiz in the first half and Vidal in the second having goals chalked off after video assistant referee (VAR) reviews.
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Chile's Alexis Sanchez celebrates winning the penalty shootout with team mates REUTERS/Henry Romero
"It’s difficult because you’re going at 100 miles an hour and then they annul two goals," said Vidal. "But we kept our heads and won it on the penalties.
"We deserved it."
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Colombia's David Ospina concedes a goal during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Henry Romero
(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Soccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Colombia's William Tesillo looks dejected after losing the penalty shootout REUTERS/Amanda PerobelliSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Chile's Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas and Jean Beausejour celebrate winning the penalty shootout REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Colombia's William Tesillo misses a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Amanda PerobelliSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Chile's Charles Aranguiz scores a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Ueslei MarcelinoSoccer Football - Copa America Brazil 2019 - Quarter Final - Colombia v Chile - Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 28, 2019 Colombia's James Rodriguez scores a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
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