Colombia 0-0 Peru: Chelsea target Radamel Falcao hauled off after 65 minutes in Copa America 2015 stalemate

Radamel Falcao was substituted after 65 minutes by Colombia as he failed to trouble the Peru defence
The draw takes both teams onto four points in Group C of the 2015 Copa America and puts Peru into the last eight
The draw eliminates Ecuador in Group A, who crash out of the tournament as the worst third-placed team
Colombia will now face Argentina in the Copa America quarter finals

Published:
20:59 GMT, 21 June 2015

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Updated:
01:26 GMT, 22 June 2015

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Colombia reached the Copa America quarter finals despite a painful goalless draw with Peru thanks to Brazil’s victory over Venezuela.

If those teams had shared a mutually beneficial draw in Sunday’s other encounter, they both would have qualified for the quarter-finals along with Peru, who were guaranteed a place in the next round whatever the result of that match. But Brazil’s 2-1 victory saved Colombia – who will now face Argentina in the last eight.

Colombia’s inability to break the deadlock, compounded by another rough night in front of goal for Radamel Falcao, was bad news for Ecuador in Group A too, who are now eliminated from the tournament as they will be the worst third-placed side.

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Radamel Falcao lasted only 65 minutes for Colombia against Peru before manager Jose Pekerman substituted him off

Falcao (left) failed to trouble the stubborn Peru defence and his evening summed up that of his Colombia team on Sunday

Colombia attacker Rodriguez (left) was fortunate not be sent off after swinging an arm at Peru defender Luis Advincula

Rodriguez (right) of Colombia had already been shown a yellow card before he put out his arm in the match against Peru

Rodriguez (left) could not lead Colombia to victory against Peru, who they have only beaten once in nine Copa America meetings

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Chile v Uruguay – Wednesday

Bolivia v Peru – Thursday

Argentina v Colombia – Friday

Brazil v Paraguay – Saturday

A frustrated James Rodriguez, meanwhile, was lucky not to be sent off for swinging an arm at Peru defender Luis Advincula, after already picking up a booking earlier in the game.

They should have known it wasn’t going to be easy, having only won one game in their last nine against their opponents in this tournament, while Peru have now reached the quarter-finals seven times running.

Jose Pekerman picked the same team that saw off Brazil 1-0 earlier in the week, with the exception of bringing Santiago Arias in for Juan Camilo Zuniga.

Peru’s Ricardo Gareca kept faith in the line-up that saw off Venezuela by the same scoreline, setting up a situation where each team in the group had three points going into this final round of fixtures.

Striker Falcao (left) showed little to justify the reports which have been linking him with a switch to Premier League champions Chelsea

James Rodriguez (centre) tries to forge an opening for Colombia against Peru but the Real Madrid man had little success

As the temperature dropped in Temuco, tensions rose. After an early onslaught on the Peru goal, Colombia found it increasingly hard to break down their opponents.

Falcao forced a fine save from Pedro Gallese early on, after he turned and fired a corner at goal, while Pablo Armero blazed a strike into the side-netting.

But Peru closed ranks at the back and began to deny James, Teofilo Gutierrez and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado the space they need to work their magic.

The Chelsea winger, so impressive against Brazil, was back to his frustrating worst, struggling to beat men down the right flank.

Rodriguez gesticulates to the Colombia supporters for even more support as they struggled to get past Peru in Group C

Rodriguez (left) takes orders from the Colombia manager Pekerman as he tries to plot a way to beat Peru in the Copa America

Instead, it was a former Blue and the match-winner against Venezuela, Claudio Pizzaro, who was more effective.

The forward slid a cute ball through for Paolo Guerro, whose snatched shot across the face of David Ospina’s goal crept beyond the far post, the striker throwing his arms to the sky in frustration.

Temuco’s Estadio Municipal German Becker enjoyed a breathless encounter, with both teams desperate for a goal to send them through, but anxious not to leave too much space at the back.

An injury to Edwin Valencia forced Colombia to bring on Alexander Mejia and weakened their core, allowing Peru to get more of a grip on the game.

Gareca’s team went close twice at the start of the second half, with Joel Sanchez firing wide of the near post after marching forward unchecked.

He forced Ospina into a fine save soon afterwards, when Christian Cueva flew forward and played him in.

Teofilio Gutierrez (right) of Colombia goes tumbling to the ground after trying to win the ball from Peru player Carlos Zambrano

Rodriguez (right) of Colombia and Real Madrid is closed down by Joel Sanchez (left) and Carlos Ascues of the Peru team

Sanchez’s low strike with the outside of his boot was destined for the corner, but Arsenal’s goalkeeper was down quickly to deny him.

At the other end, Chelsea target Falcao had a good opportunity but nodded an inviting cross from the left well over the bar.

It was his last contribution – if you can call it that – to the game, and is his third consecutive disappointing performance at this tournament.

Almost immediately after his withdrawal for Jackson Martinez, Colombia began to create.

James drove into the box from the left and forced Gallese into a save at his near post, with Falcao’s replacement bundling the rebound wide.

That was as close as Pekerman’s side came to getting the goal which would have sealed their qualification, and left them waiting for their fate to be decided by Brazil’s clash with Venezuela, knowing a draw in that game would send them home.