FINAL SCORE: USA 0-2 COLOMBIA
Colombia picked up full three points in the opening game of the Copa America 2016 Centenario with a convincing 2-0 victory against hosts USA at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with goals coming from Christian Zapata and James Rodriguez.
After a cagey opening first five minutes, Colombia took the lead through AC Milan defender Cristian Zapata. His club teammate Carlos Bacca did brilliantly to take the marker with him from a corner kick, leaving Zapata in acres of space to slot home from close range.
It was Zapata’s first international goal for his country and the quickest opening goal of the tournament recorded since 1999.
Here’s the goal:
Zapata gets free and it’s 1-0 Colombia #CopaAmerica https://t.co/jQtYFIQIto
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) June 4, 2016
Twitter Reacts to Zapata’s goal:
That finish was cleaner than any tackle Zapata has ever made!
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) June 4, 2016
Cristian Zapata scored the quickest opening goal of the tournament since 1999, and his first international goal! #Copa100 #USAvCOL
— Copa América 2016 (@CA2016) June 4, 2016
If you only watched Zapata play for Colombia you’d think he’s a 50 mil player
— Sellvio Berlu$coni (@Pure_Milanista) June 4, 2016
2nd Goal: James Rodriguez
Diaz crossed from the left and the ball had hit Yedlin’s hand. Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez stepped up and confidently slots home into the bottom corner giving Colombia a healthy 2-0 lead.
Was it a right decision? Yes. It had hit Yedlin’s arm in the box. A clear cut penalty if the rule book is taken into account. Was it a harsh decision? Yes. The reason being it had hit Yedlin’s side arm as he was merely trying to block the cross, and it was purely unintentional.
James Rodriguez gives Colombia a 2-goal cushion over the #USMNT from the penalty spot. #USAvCOL #CopaAmerica https://t.co/fXAaPDA9Cr
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 4, 2016
Rodriguez has been sensational for Colombia since 2014 – he has scored 12 goals, has assisted in further six and has created more chances than any other Colombian players. He scored his 15th goal for his country today and is now joint fifth top-scorer alongside Teo and Aristizábal.
Twitter Reacts to Colombia’s victory:
FT US 0-2 COL. First-half goals from Zapata and James (pen) maintains Colombia’s 100% record in 2016, but all eyes now fix on James’ injury.
— Carl Worswick (@cworswick) June 4, 2016
15 – James Rodriguez scored today his 15th goal for #Colombia, and is now tied as 5th historical top-scorer. Leader pic.twitter.com/A1fr0UMVaL
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) June 4, 2016
Colombia showed the USA what’s up damn
— Streak (@lucianoarnone21) June 4, 2016
Colombia won… WAY TO GO, OBAMA.
— Thanks Obama (@dangitobama) June 4, 2016
Pretty comfortable win for Colombia in the #CA100 opener. Los cafeteros a contender.
— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) June 4, 2016
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