Copa America - Quarterfinal
Result: Argentina (5) 0-0 (4) Colombia
Date: 27 June 2015
Venue: Estadio Sausalito
Argentina booked their spot in the Copa America semi-finals after beating Colombia 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the Estadio Sausalito.
Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi returned to the Argentine line-up, while Jose Pekerman dropped Radamel Falcao to the bench for Jackson Martinez.
Lionel Messi nearly gifted La Albiceleste the lead in the 13th when he tried his luck from distance but David Ospina was on hand to deny the forward with a fine save.
Messi was presented with another chance to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute, as he latched onto a long pass from Angel di Maria, however he managed to blaze over from close range.
Colombia's Ospina was called upon three minutes later, as the shot-stopper pulled off a double save to deny Javier Pastore and Messi in quick succession.
Colombia, meanwhile, struggled to create any openings in the the first half, as the sides went into the halftime break with the deadlocked at 0-0.
Jose Pekerman's side registered their first effort on target in the 67th minute but Romero was on hand to keep out Murillo's deflected effort from distance.
Argentina nearly broke the deadlock in the 78th minute through substitute, Ever Banega, but the midfielder's strike from 25-yards out rattled the crossbar.
The woodwork came to Colombia's rescue in the 81st minute, as Otamendi's close range volley crashed against the upright, with Ospina well beaten.
Gerardo Martino's men nearly won the tie with two minutes remaining, as Carlos Tevez broke free before poking the ball beyond Ospina, however Murillo managed to sprint back and clear the ball off the line.
However, there was no extra-time after it ended goalless after 90 minutes and the game was decided by a penalty shoot-out.
And it was the Argentinians who held their nerve, with Tevez scoring the winning penalty to hand them a 5-4 triumph in the shoot-out and a place in the semi-finals.
Argentina will now face either Brazil or Venezuela, who lock horns on Saturday evening in their quarterfinal tie
