Colombia ousts Peru in penalties, reaches Copa America semifinals

Colombia advances to the semifinals of Copa America for the first time since 2004.

Colombia is on to the Copa America semifinals after outlasting Peru in penalty kicks following a physical scoreless draw at a soldout MetLife Stadium in New Jersey Friday night.

David Ospina made a tremendous kick save on Miguel Trauco and Christian Cueva fired over the bar, as Colombia advanced 4-2 after the shootout. James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, Dayro Moreno and Sebastian Perez each converted from the spot for the Cafeteros, which ends a lengthy drought. Colombia hadn't been to the semifinals since 2004, missing out in each of the last three tournaments. Peru, meanwhile was hoping for a place in the semifinals for a third straight Copa.

During regulation, James Rodriguez came closest to scoring for Colombia, with his 25-yard driven blast hitting off the right post. Christian Ramos nearly scored at the end of regular time, but his header off a corner kick was tipped over by an acrobatic Ospina. Per competition rules, the match went straight to penalties without extra time. 

Here are highlights of the key plays:

James was an inch away from his third goal of #CopaAmerica. #PERvCOL #MyCopaColors https://t.co/WE2DolyYgM

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2016

FT: Peru 0, Colombia 0. We're headed to a penalty shootout thanks to this clutch save from Ospina on Ramos. #PERvCOL https://t.co/ARGPwvra7E

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2016

David Ospina only had to make one save in the shootout for Colombia, but what a save it was. #PERvCOL #MyCopaColors https://t.co/2KqbnPeLPz

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2016

Christian Cueva misses the final spot kick as Colombia defeat Peru, 4-2 on penalties. #PERvCOL #CopaAmerica https://t.co/eJnjx3Ebdv

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2016

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Colombia will play the winner of Mexico-Chile in the semifinals.