Uruguay forward Darwin Núñez had to be separated by law enforcement from fighting Colombia fans at the end of a scrappy 2024 Copa America semi-final at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Colombia booked their place in the final, where they will face reigning champions Argentina, thanks to a 1-0 win over Uruguay despite playing half of the keenly contested encounter with 10 men.
Uruguay made the first foray at goal in the game, but Núñez could not make the most of his chances, sending two efforts just wide of Camilo Vargas’ goal in the first half.
Colombia soon got themselves in the match and duly took the lead six minutes before half-time when Jefferson Lerma headed in from James Rodriguez’s corner kick. The goal was Rodriguez’s sixth assist in as many games, three times more than the next set of creators.
However, Colombia’s joy got dampened in first-half stoppage time when full-back Daniel Muñoz received his marching orders from referee Cesar Ramos for elbowing an opposition player.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men failed to capitalise on the man advantage in the second half, with substitute Luis Suarez sending a shot to the side netting when found unmarked in the Colombia penalty area. Colombia also failed to convert clear-cut chances towards the end of the game but held on for a narrow win.
Chaos erupted at the final whistle as players from both teams fought on the field, while Núñez was found in the stands having a go at some Colombia fans.
Uruguay defender Jose Gimenez condemned the situation. “There wasn’t a single policeman in the whole half hour. A disaster,” he said. “And we were the ones showing our faces for our loved ones. Hopefully, the people organising this will be a little more careful.”