James Rodriguez showcased his brilliance as Colombia overwhelmed Panama with a resounding 5-0 victory at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, securing their spot in the Copa America semi-finals. The Colombian star scored one goal and provided two assists in a dominant performance.
Colombia took an early lead in the eighth minute when striker Jhon Cordoba overpowered his marker to head home from a corner. Shortly after, Jhon Arias was fouled by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera inside the box, resulting in a penalty for Colombia.
James Rodriguez approached the penalty spot with confidence. In the 15th minute, he struck the ball powerfully, sending it soaring into the top of the goal. The strike marked his 28th successful finish for his national team.
Despite a brief period of possession for Panama, during which Roderick Miller's header struck the post and forced a brilliant save from Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, Colombia remained in control.
Colombia remained resilient and capitalized on another set piece opportunity in the 41st minute. James Rodriguez swiftly executed a free kick, finding Luis Diaz in a advantageous position. The Liverpool winger, positioned at the edge of the penalty area, deftly chipped his shot over the helpless goalkeeper, Mosquera, to extend Colombia's lead.
In the second half, Colombia focused on managing the game and preserving their lead. However, they still managed to extend their advantage in the 70th minute when Richard Rios capitalized on confusion in the Panama defense following a foul, firing a low drive from distance that caught Mosquera off guard.
Miguel Borja's penalty conversion in stoppage time was the last action from the match, after Panama defender Jose Cardoba's foul on Santiago Arias on the edge of the box forced the referee to point towards the spot.
The win extends Colombia's unbeaten run to 27 matches, with their last defeat coming in a 1-0 loss to Argentina in February 2022." Colombia will now face their semi-final opponent in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. The other semi-final will see defending champions Argentina take on Canada, the sole remaining CONCACAF team, in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Despite the loss, Panama can hold their heads high after an impressive run in the tournament. Their journey included a stunning 2-1 victory over hosts and CONCACAF rivals, the United States.
After their group-stage exit in the 2016 edition of the Copa America, this quarterfinal appearance is Panama's best performance in the tournament.
