David Ospina made a crucial penalty shootout save to help Colombia progress to the Copa America Centenario semi-finals at the expense of Peru.
The game, played in front of a capacity crowd at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and with no extra-time being played in the competition the teams went straight to spot-kicks.
Peru matched Colombia’s first two successful penalties, scored by James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado, before Dayro Moreno slotted home a third for Jose Peckerman’s side.
Ospina then came to the fore, making a fantastic save with his feet to deny Miguel Trauco’s effort. He looked like he’d dived past the ball before somehow getting his feet high enough to make the block.
Colombia put further pressure on the underdogs as Sebastian Perez – a player who once played for Arsenal in a pre-season game against Man City – smashed home.
Needing to score Christian Cueva blazed his kick over the bar as Colombia reached the semis for the first time since 2004.
“We goalkeepers have the advantage that we can use any part of the body,” said Ospina afterwards.
“What matters is to stop the ball —with the ears, the nose, whatever. We goalkeepers have many resources.”
Arseblog News can’t recall seeing Ospina save a penalty with his ear…as awesome as that would be. We were though suitably impressed by the fact he wasn’t standing five yards behind his line when the kicks were taken. Progress.
Alexis Sanchez could seal a semi-final showdown with Big Dave if Chile beat Mexico tomorrow.
Highlights of the penalty shootout below…suitably excitable South American commentary included.
I bet Lil Big Dave starts every sentence with “We goalkeepers”
I thought going into this tournament that the way it was all thrown together so chaotically meant the teams wouldn’t be taking it as seriously, but that hasn’t been the case. I haven’t watched the games because they’re going on in the middle of the night here, but I watch long highlights of several of the matches, and it’s clear it means a lot to the players and coaches. I think it was James I saw in tears over having reached the semifinal at the end of that shootout. The Americans went mad too, I’d like to cheer for them… Read more »
Three words in the truest Latino styles:
FUTBOL ES VIDA!
Me too get to watch only highlights but the standard of games seems to be top notch. To think of it, the Peru team has only one or two players who play in leagues outside their country.
By the way there was this goal scored by a Mexico player against Venezuela – that goal could put Messi\Ronaldo to shame.
https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DwsU-MyEOunY&ved=0ahUKEwjllebx4rHNAhURSY8KHRXSD6MQtwIIHjAB&usg=AFQjCNHP9-SND5qqzrBRcesx4LEsBfY-Bg&sig2=r95CFmBvRsYxfNo0bKj3qQ
Really pleased for David Ospina doing so well at the Copa. I think he’s probably one of our most under-rated players, I like him a lot.
Ossssssspinaaaa!
Well someone had to say it!
He is amazing look how he saved the spot kick
Good for Dave, great scenes. +1 for the music and +1 for that great commentator. Dios mio!
I love a good penis joke
Peckerman, heheheh
Ospina didn’t have much to do during the 90 minutes: a very good punch and then quick recovery to gather the ball immediately after; an excellent tip over the bar in the last moments to save the game. Can’t blame him that Peru gave him no other opportunities to show his worth. Until that penalty!
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSPINA!!!!
Happy for him 🙂
I really like him and he’s too good to be a back up keeper at any club.
I wouldn’t begrudge him if he wanted to move on.
I agree but I hope he stays as no 02 keeper all the same. Too good to lose!
off topic but blogs can you help me as to where I can watch gomorrah with english audio? 🙂
No idea, it’s subtitled. I don’t think it’s been dubbed.
Ospina is one of the best shot stoppers in the world. No doubt about it.
Don’t just save it. Scissors kick it.
keep him sell the Polish whom have even lost his place to Fabianski. Ospina is obviously much much better. and if you want to tell me we lost CL group matches with him I remind you he had Debuchy Gabriel Chambers Gibbs with Flamini ahead of him.
on the other note: did anyone watch Chile Mexico? they played a fluent front three of Puch Sanchez and Vargas with Alexis mostly the main man and boy did they massacre.
He hasn’t lost his place to Fabianski for Poland, he’s injured.
That chile Mexico game was the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen. Alexis, so unselfish, wonderful assists and passes.